66 Bird Hunting on the White Nile. 



by a sandstorm, while in the evening a necessary 

 slaughter of pigeons for the pot usually had to be 

 undertaken. When out collecting each of us was accom- 

 panied by a man to carry the birds, and perhaps a spare 

 gun and a water bottle. When five or six birds had 

 been shot the man was sent back to camp with them so 

 that no time should be lost in the skinning, and as 

 decomposition often set in within two or three hours 

 after death, we found this plan necessary as well as 

 convenient. For carrying the birds we employed a 

 stick, to which were tied at intervals pieces of thread, 

 a space being left in the middle of the stick for the 

 hand. To one end of each piece of thread was tied a 

 small bit of cork and to the other a pin. When a bird 

 was shot the pin was pushed through its nostrils and 

 into the cork. The bird thus hung free from the stick 

 and its plumage was in no danger of being rubbed and 

 injured. Only one of our men showed any liking to 

 come out shooting. They were not sportsmen. In- 

 numerable excuses were invented when they were told 

 to accompany us. But excuses were vain — answers 

 could also be invented. Was illness pleaded — pills were 

 administered, a species called the '' Livingstone rouser " 

 being most effective, but the man must come. Did a 

 man say that he had lost his shoes and could not walk 



