THROUGH WILD EUROPE 87 



Durazzo lagoon is a large sheet of shallow, brackish 

 water stretching behind the town, and divided from 

 the sea at each end by a narrow strip of sand. It is 

 surrounded by marshy ground, behind which lie 

 forests, and behind them, on the landward side, high 

 mountains, on which the snows lie unmelted until 

 May. There are a few fish, but apparently not 

 enough to attract the attention of many fishermen ; 

 and as there are many low islands covered with 

 samphire and other plants, and an extensive reed- 

 bed at one end, it is an ideal place for ducks and all 

 kinds of wading and water birds. Plenty of feeding 

 ground, shallow water, small fish, quietness, and 

 cover for resting in during the day — what more could 

 water-fowl desire ? and in consequence they were 

 there in immense numbers. And, above all, there 

 were the Pelicans, which my host believed to nest 

 on the lagoon. 



It was quickly decided to start work on the very 

 next day, and I turned in to bed that night with 

 great hopes for the morrow, confident that success 

 could not be far off with such efficient assistance. 



Next morning we set off on horseback, having 

 sent on previously Marco, the kavass, and another 

 man, with the camera and belongings, with orders 

 to wait for us at a certain point which seemed to be 



the best place at which to hide up while B 



tried to drive the birds round to me. 



