22 A VILLAGE. 



the Egyptian crops thrive well nevertheless ; and their guano 

 is there considered to more than compensate for the grain 

 they eat, as this kind of manure is particularly valued for the 

 cultivation of the sugar-cane. 



Although the native gives himself so much trouble to keep 

 a stock of these birds in the villages, none dispute the 

 stranger's right to shoot as many of them as he pleases in 

 the fields ; and it certainly adds considerably to the pleasiu-e 

 of the Nile-trip always to feel oneself lord of the manor, with 

 perfect liberty to shoot what we please and walk where we 

 like, regardless of crops or boundaries. We are always wel- 

 comed by the native, who for the sake of seeing sport, which 

 he thoroughly appreciates when he meets with a good shot, will 

 go out of his way to point out some ducks which he has seen 

 on a neighbouring pool, or will dash into the water after 

 any bird that may have fallen in. I have often been much 

 amused watching them hunt a wounded duck, which they 

 will rarely fail to secure ; for they are perfect adepts in the 

 art of swimming. 



As we were shooting round a village, the Sheik, or head 

 man, came out to see the sport, and invited us to his at 

 house to take coffee, which is always ready, and acceptable 

 any time of the day. Then there flocked around us all the 

 rising generation of the village, and the women, in their 

 long blue dresses, with their faces wrapped up in white cloths, 

 only showing their bright black eyes, which they fix upon 

 us — in admiration? No, rather in wonder why we have 

 come there, and why we are dressed so differently from their 

 own people. 



On occasions like this, I have often fancied how much our 

 position resembled that of our caged animals at home. We 



