1 A JOURNEY IN THE EAST: 311 



Our little boat was now dragged across the island in order 

 that we might approach the flock from the opposite side 1 ; but 

 when we had got within about four hundred yards the Fla- 

 mingoes, which had hitherto been standing motionless, began 

 to move about restlessly, whereupon we fired our first volley, 

 and immediately the wonderful rosy cloud of birds got up 

 and flew far away. 



Only one remained behind, and supported itself with dif- 

 ficulty, half standing, hah swimming. We could see with 

 the glass that it was wounded, and were rowing up to it 

 highly delighted, when the bird began beating its wings and 

 flapped away low over the water, disappearing from view 

 behind some islands. 



Much disappointed we went on to a long island with a 

 large white sandbank, shooting some smaller birds on the 

 way. There we intended to choose good positions for lying 

 in wait for the evening flight, as the waterfowl were already 

 beginning to collect. 



Unfortunately this capital-looking island was already 

 occupied by a very tattered old bird catcher, who was sitting 

 in a hut made of small branches, while beside him crouched 

 his child, an urchin covered with flies, gnats, and all manner 

 of vermin. From his hut he was working some large fall- 

 nets by means of cords, using as decoy-birds a poor blind 

 miserable-looking Pelican and about a dozen Cormorants, 

 which were tied to stakes, and had all been deprived of 

 sight. 



It really seemed to be an excellent place for birds, as the 

 ground was covered with rotten fish, guano, and feathers, but 

 no European nose could have stood it long. Moreover the 

 poor bird-snarer seemed to be by no means pleased at our 

 visit, and muttered some surly words into his shaggy beard ; 

 so we did not disturb him long, but soon rowed over to 

 another narrow island which lay opposite. There we took up 



