70 By Mountain, Lake, and Plain 



ing two chungs, as the open reaches of water 

 are called. When set, nothing is seen above 

 the surface, but as the fowl are slowly moved 

 along, the net, which is hung on poles that 

 pivot on the bottom, springs up and the birds are 

 enclosed. The trick is done by a man hidden in 

 the reeds pulling a rope. The whole arrangement 

 is most ingenious, especially the way the upright 

 poles are pivoted on the bottom ; but it would 

 take a page of letterpress and diagrams to 

 explain it. Coots are enclosed in these nets in 

 extraordinary numbers, duck also in sufficient 

 quantities for the market price in Seistan to be 

 about 2d. apiece. The down and feathers form 

 one of the chief exports of the province. 



By an ancient custom, the Hamun is divided 

 among the different sections of the sayads, who 

 have thereon exclusive rights, for which they pay 

 revenue to the Governor of Seistan ; and for our 

 shooting a special permit from this elevated 

 person had been necessary. Not that the sayads 

 were at all loath to show us sport. We inter- 

 rupted their operations certainly ; but a day with 

 the British Consul's party brought them in an 

 easily earned four Jcrans or so each, and nothing 

 but keenness was shown. 



As our procession moves slowly up the narrow 

 channel, there is an almost continuous patter 



