220 ON THE EDGE 



pigeons, feeding unconcernedly at a few 

 yards distance. I resisted the temptation to 

 "brown" these, even though one contained 

 what I had never noticed before — an albino 

 bird. These pigeons roost in the wells, 

 where they are easily caught by the natives, 

 who, having quietly thrown a net over the 

 mouth, make a noise, whereat the birds fly 

 into the meshes. In this way the regimental 

 pigeon-shooting club is easily and cheaply 

 supplied. We also saw a couple of the 

 little desert foxes trotting unconcernedly 

 along. Although they are little bigger 

 than rabbits, they afford rare sport with 

 greyhounds, and are consequently sacred 

 from the gun. 



At last we reached the appointed place, 

 where my shikari and a coolie were awaiting 

 us. Posting them and the pony-boy in an 



