FOWLING ON LAKE MENZALEH 287 



leeward to windward, travelling gradually into the 

 regular channels. 



The method employed by the natives in catching fowl 

 is exceedingly interesting. The heledy rows his craft 

 to within suitable distance of a paddling of duck and 

 drops anchor. He then dons his sporting equipment, 

 which consists of a breastplate fitted with a number of 

 hooks similar to meat hooks, and a large gourd that 

 covers the greater portion of his head. From his boat he 

 swims or wades to within a short distance of the birds, and 

 with Oriental stealth (all but the shell being under water) 

 he mixes in amongst them. The duck are then drawn 

 under the surface one after another and hitched to the 

 hooks until the remainder of the " paddling " takes wing, 

 when the fowler proceeds to other grounds and repeats his 

 manoeuvres. The chief sport on Lake Menzaleh centres 

 around the wild duck, but one is usually certain of a shot 

 at geese and flamingoes. Indeed, at certain seasons of 

 the year the latter bird is almost as plentiful as are the 

 duck. 



