264 SAVAGE SUDAN 



them and difficulties they despised. For all that, the result 

 of our researches hardly induced in my mind any very 

 extravagant ideas as to great store of ornithological 

 treasure hidden away in the Sudd. No doubt in so 

 vast an unexplored area there will some day prove to 

 exist unknown forms of life ; but the only known genera 

 to which these dismal swamps appear possibly congenial 

 would be such as crakes and rails, jacanas, bitterns, 

 and possibly some marsh-warblers. This is not the place 

 to record categorically our collections they will be found 

 enshrined in the Ibis ; but a few lines on our modus 

 operandi may convey some idea of the Sudd and its 

 denizens. 



Starting in the pinnace by break of day, we rowed 

 silently along some green wall of papyrus, creeping into 

 each creek, each recess or cul-de-sac of the swamp. One 

 gun stood upright in the bows. The best "hunting- 

 grounds" we found to be where the taller growth gave 

 place to humble flags with a tangle of sedge and bog- 

 plants. The presence of such a spot ahead being 

 signalled by the forward gun, oars were plied yet more 

 noiselessly, and presently the boat swung onwards under 

 helm only. The chief "game" on which for the moment 

 our hearts were set, comprised three sorts of marsh- 

 warbler, all of which alike in song and general appear- 

 ance were new to us, nor did they correspond with any 

 described species. So intensely secretive were these 

 mites that a brief bar of song or a fugitive glimpse 

 was all they ever vouchsafed ere vanishing into the 

 depths of cane, sedge, and swamp - grasses. Even 

 that wild excitement might only occur about thrice in 

 a long morning ; while to await a reappearance of the 

 vanished Dulcinea (even for a solid hour) always proved 

 fruitless. 



As the stem of the pinnace silently stole round an 

 angle ahead, disclosing some favourite lurking-place, the 

 flick of a tiny wing amidst viewless vegetation might 



