308 SPORT IN BENGAL. 



congregate in tens of thousands, as in the Chilka lake in 

 Pooree, in the Chullan "jheel" in Rajshai and Pubna, and on 

 the chain of lagoons extending for fifty miles a league or two 

 from, and parallel with, the left bank of the Muddoomuttee 

 river, which divides the districts of Jessore and Fareedpoor. 

 Wild-fowl of almost every species and in vast multitudes 

 resort also to the sea-coast of Balasore, particularly about the 

 mouth of the Damrah river, where excellent sport may be 

 relied on in the cold season, and in the first weeks of it more 

 especially. There are besides many " jheels," or lagoons, scat- 

 tered about the interior of the country, where wild-fowl are 

 sufficiently abundant for good sport, particularly in Sylhet 

 and Assam, where may be found many varieties ; among 

 others sometimes that rare visitant of the Lower Provinces, 

 the handsome mallard, the king of wild-ducks. 



To the Chilka lake must be awarded the palm for the 

 most enjoyable shooting from " dinghees," or canoes, since it 

 presents immense varieties, together with incredible numbers, 

 added to pretty scenery and sea air. Some of the " jheels" 

 in the Fareedpoor district can make an equal show as to 

 numbers, but not so in respect of species and varieties ; for 

 geese, flamingoes, " koolung," spoonbills, and others, plentiful 

 on and around the Chilka, are not to be found on them. 



The water of the Chilka is salt or brackish, according to 

 the season, and in it there grows along the shore a weed very 

 attractive to wild-fowl. This weed (of which the proper 

 name is unknown to me) will be found in the shallow and 

 tranquil water along the shores of the little islets and sand- 

 banks on their landward side; and among it will be seen 

 myriads of ducks and teal, while the larger wild-fowl and 

 countless waders line the shores or feed in the fields above 

 among the rice-stubble. In the noontide heat, and if unmo- 

 lested for a little while, these birds may be seen reposing in 

 such immense flocks as to cover many square acres of the 

 surface of the still waters under the lee of the land, and, if 

 disturbed by a shot at such a time, they will rise together in 

 tens of thousands, with a sound like thunder or distant salvos 



