504 Mr. M. J. 1^ icoW— Contributions 



for these Ducks. It was set on the water about three 

 hundred yards from a small bush-covered island. As we 

 passed the men in charge of the net had just ''pulled/' 

 and some boys were wading out to secure the Ducks with 

 which the net seemed full. We had no opportunity of 

 examining the nets used^ but from a distance they appeared 

 to be similar to those used oh the marshes except for their 

 larger size. I imagine^ however, that they are floated on 

 the surface, and that it requires at least two men to pull the 

 rope, owing to the distance at which the nest is set from the 

 "hide.^^ I purchased a pair of live Wigeons; the drake was 

 in full plumage. 



Dafila acuta. 



Dafila acuta Shelley, p. 284 ; Loat, Ibis, 1906, p. 123. 



The Pintail was the most abundant species of Duck at 

 Gheit-el-Nassara during our visit. Numbers came into the 

 marshes at night and many were caught by the local 

 fishermen. Near every pool in the marshes we saw " hides " 

 composed of reeds and bushes, from which these Ducks are 

 caught. The modus operandi is as follows : — 



About sunset a small clap-net is set on the edge of a pool, 

 and on the ground enclosed by it a few handfuls of small 

 bird-seed are scattered ; the fisherman then retires to his 

 " hide,'' situated about seventy yards from the net, and from 

 this shelter pulls the rope as soon as a Duck has settled in 

 the right spot. The birds thus caught are taken to Damietta, 

 where they are sold alive in the markets. We purchased a 

 few freshly-caught Pintails for about \s. 3d. each. Nearly 

 all those taken during our stay were males in full plumage. 



Spatula clypeata. 



Rhynchaspis clypeata Shelley, p. 285 ; Loat, Ibis, 1906, 

 p. 123. 



A few Shovelers were seen on the lake. 



FULIGULA FERINA. 



Fuligida ferina Shelley, p. 289 ; Loat, Ibis, 1906, p. 123. 

 Numbers of Pochards were seen on Lake Menzaleh. 



