68 Bird Notes from the Nile. 



and other garden thieves were constantly 

 tempted to come, and the flocks of these 

 marauders were continually being scared 

 away with j-ells and much shouting, 

 backed up with slings and stones ! 



In that land of glare and heat, shade is 

 the greatest boon ; therefore the old 

 Egyptian appreciated shady trees, the 

 sycamore, perhaps, best of all. He 



Fan. 



planted them wherever possible, and ''that 

 his soul (like a bird) might sit on the boughs 

 of the tree that he had planted, and enjoy 

 the cool air in the shade of the sycamore," 

 was one of his most fervent prayers. 



Figures of birds, wings, and feathers 

 were constantly introduced into the dress, 

 insignia, and ornaments of Egypt. A fan 

 composed of a single large feather con- 

 stituted one of the highest badges of rank 

 and honour, '' Fan-bearers " being a title 

 only given to the most exalted persons in 



