74 By Mountain^ Lake, and Plain 



but as the sun set the attacking force suddenly 

 withdrew, and there was a blessed calm. The 

 moon rose, throwing its reflection on the still 

 mere, and we looked forward to a crossing of pure 

 enjoyment. These pleasing anticipations were 

 short-lived. With almost a howl the mosquitoes 

 were on us. My wife was fortunate in having 

 a motor-veil. For the children, who had much 

 looked forward to the crossing by moonlight, 

 it was a lesson in the vanity of human expecta- 

 tions, for they spent the voyage with their 

 heads in pillow-cases. As for myself, I have 

 a recollection of a nightmare battle with insects, 

 that for self - sacrificing fury seemed more like 

 wasps than mere mosquitoes. 



To return to our ducks. The second drive 

 there were no complaints about duck coming 

 too low. As is usual on still days, when once 

 thoroughly disturbed, they flew very high quite 

 unnecessarily so, as far as their safety was con- 

 cerned, hundreds of them being mere specks in 

 the sky, circling round till lost to sight. 



We had, however, some sporting shots at teal, 

 and of all that tribe there is none that flies faster 

 than that known as the Baikal, 1 or " clucking 



1 I think this identification, made from Baker's ' Indian Ducks,' 

 is correct. I regret not having sent specimens away for expert 

 opinion. 



