56 A GOOD " EIGHT AND LEFT." 



represented on the ancient hieroglyphics. I have also some 

 rather better duck-shooting to-day, with a moderate sprinkling 

 of Snipe and Quail; so, having selected a suitable spot, I 

 return to camp ; and, although only one camel can be pro- 

 cured, the tents are moved, and established close to the lake, 

 near a narrow strip of land which runs out for a considerable 

 distance into it. I see a number of Geese ; but they are 

 extremely shy, only allowing me to get one long shot at 

 them, which seems to have the effect of keeping them on 

 the alert during the whole of my stay here. I also often see 

 jackals and wolves skirting the sugar-cane or near the bushes 

 towards sunset, and kill specimens of each with ordinary 

 shot. 



Pish abound in the lake, and run to a considerable size ; but 

 are aU of a coarse description. The natives go out fishing in 

 clumsy, heavy, high-sided rowing-boats ; and in one of these 

 I cross the lake to explore the desert side, which is certainly 

 the best for wild-fowl shooting as well as for collecting birds. 

 The natives are highly pleased, as I am very successful in 

 shooting the Cormorants, which abound on this side. While 

 lunching under a small bush by the water's edge, a Pelican 

 and Cormorant come over at the same moment ; and, thanks 

 to my having large shot in ray gun, I bring both down, right 

 and left, the Pelican falling without a motion in the midst of 

 the party. The wind having risen, they try to persuade me 

 to remain here for the night ; but I decline, and get them oiF 

 at 4 o'clock. The boat is so badly constructed that, in spite 

 of having three men to each oar, a captain, his scribe, and a 

 boy to look after the nets, we are drifted considerably out of 

 our course, land two miles from where we had started, and 

 take three hours instead of one in crossing. But what 



