Bird Notes from the Nile. 67 



by a tall hedge of palms and mimosa trees, 

 where innumerable birds built their nests 

 safely among the thick branches. The 

 gardens were full of precious plants, 

 shrubs, and trees, some brought from far- 

 distant lands, and were watered continu- 

 ally and tended with the greatest care. 

 In most of them there was a large tank 

 or pond, and near this a shady arbour, 

 where the owner could rest and amuse 

 himself by watching his favourite white 

 goose and other pet water birds that were 

 kept there. How well we can imagine 

 the pretty scene ! — perhaps a Demoiselle, 

 a violet gallinule, an ibis, a flamingo or 

 two, a solemn old pelican, and a dainty 

 egret, and perhaps, too, some rare speci- 

 mens from foreign countries, sunning 

 themselves on the margin of the pool or 

 playing among the lotus flowers in the 

 water. Fruit trees were largely grown, 

 and among them figs, the fruit of which 

 monkeys were sometimes trained to gather 

 for their masters. 



Vineyards covered many acres, and the 

 vines were carefully cultivated. To these 

 orchards and vineyards of course sparrows 



F 2 



