208 BIRD-HUNTING 



again before I could shoot. The bag in consequence 

 was light when we returned. 



There was a sporting family of Albanians higher 

 up the lagoon whom we used to employ on duck- 

 shooting expeditions as boatmen and beaters. But 

 the boats here are of very primitive construction, 

 merely rude dug-out canoes, cracked with the heat 

 of the sun, and exceedingly ancient. On one occa- 

 sion three of these canoes lashed together failed to 



support the weight of B , myself, and the man 



who was to paddle us in search of Pelicans. The 

 water came over the top at such a rate that it was 

 evidently impossible to proceed in such unseaworthy 

 craft, and we had to land and devote our attention 

 to Woodcock on the hillsides instead of the water- 

 fowl and Pelicans. 



Talking of Woodcock reminds me of a beauti- 

 ful cream-coloured variety with a few pale-brown 

 markings which had been given me on arrival by 



B . It had been shot some days before, and 



was unfortunately in a very tender state when I got 

 it; and a Woodcock, especially when fat, is at all 

 times a very difficult bird to skin. However, I 

 made a fairly good specimen of it considering that 

 the feathers were beginning to come out when I 

 took it in hand. 



Later we succeeded in procuring some canoes 

 able to float us, and had some enjoyable days in 



