Bird Notes from the Nile. 7 



the river were made in a small native 

 felucca, sleeping in tents on shore at 

 night, so that we had every opportunity 

 of poking about in odd corners of the Nile 

 and its desert, as well as on its cultivated 

 banks, for we were able to get into many 

 places among shallows and sand banks 

 where there was no depth of water for a 

 dahahiyeh or steamer. 



We found this mode of travelling most 

 delightful and very unconventional, and 

 we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The 

 fitting out of our vessel was the cause of 

 much excitement and amusement to the 

 natives of Aswan, and for many days 

 before we set sail " Reis " Ali and the 

 Dongola were the centre of attraction. 



The boat was about thirty feet long, 

 with an enormous rudder and a big 

 lateen sail. The "after "-part was 

 covered with a movable awning, and 

 during the day our beds were spread 

 under it, making a most comfortable 

 divan. Just for'ard of the mast a small 

 caboose was made, which answered capi- 

 tally for cooking ; but as the native work- 

 men had used bricks and mortar for its 



