190 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



when, by means of a most primitive wind- 

 lass, it is pulled over the river embankment 

 into the creek which leads to the lakes. 

 If the start from Ningpo is made im- 

 mediately on the arrival of the steamer the 

 lakes should be reached at n a.m., giving 

 time to have lunch prepared and the entire 

 afternoon for shooting. 



If the shooter wishes to take his house- 

 boat into the lakes the loadah will inform 

 him which branch of the creek to travel, 

 but unless the weather is warm it is 

 advisable to stop the boat near the lower 

 end of the lakes and in the creek, and he 

 will be within a few hundred yards of the 

 best feeding grounds for ducks. As the 

 lakes are small, and in reality make but 

 one sheet of water, the houseboat looms up 

 quite largely in contrast to the small 

 canoes which are in use by the fishermen 

 and farmers of the surrounding country. 



My first day on the lakes was a bright 

 and calm day in the early part of November. 

 I entered by way of the upper end, and by 

 the use of another primitive windlass the 

 houseboat was pulled out of the creek into 

 the lakes over a high embankment which 

 divides the two waters. 



