A VISIT TO A BREEDING-PLACE OF THE PELICAN. 247 
hut, which request was readily granted. But they warned us 
not to go alone into the Balta, a warning which we did not 
heed. At noon we started with Ferdinand, our chasseur. As 
we expected to get some Bearded Tits, we took all necessary 
implements with us, including egg-drills. But as we only 
intended to be absent until evening, we neither took any 
provisions nor the very necessary mosquito-net. Heat beyond 
description. The journey to the landing-place across the glowing 
sand was anything but pleasant. But we were soon in the large 
boat, and cheerfully rowing across the narrow channel. At first 
we were hemmed in on both sides by the lesser bulrush (T7’'ypha 
angustifolia) almost exclusively, amongst which Ranunculus lingua 
blossomed beautifully. Here and there we could certainly hear 
a Bearded Tit, but could not see one. We had a pleasant 
surprise in the occurrence of a doubtful little plant, which floated 
everywhere on the water’s surface, sending up little round whitish 
green blossoms. This was Aldrovanda vesiculosa. For about 
an hour we proceeded very smoothly, but at length floating islands 
barred the water-way, which was hitherto free. We had to push 
these islands aside with much trouble, and with our united 
strength we at last succeeded in breaking through, and arrived 
upon one of those little lakes covered with water-lilies (amongst 
them Nuphar), of which there seem to be numbers in the Delta. 
Anas nyroca swam about in little flocks. From here we had 
again to work through floating islands, which so barricaded our 
way that we at last doubted whether we should ever get any 
farther. It cost us much time and trouble. All at once, on 
pushing through the reeds, we looked across the surface of a 
larger lake. We had reached the “‘ Liman Kuibide.” A greater 
number of these floating islands is dispersed over this lake, which 
is adorned by Nymphea and Nuphar, and in places is thickly 
covered with water-milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum and verticil- 
latum, with glistening green panicles. A few Cormorants, many 
Ducks (all Anas nyroca) and Sea Swallows (Sterna hirundo), 
enlivened the scene. We rowed right across the lake to the reedy 
shore opposite. Quite a remarkable phenomenon to us were the 
floating nests of Sterna hirundo! Ina shallow cavity two eggs 
were always lying in the middle of a real little island of reed-roots 
and portions of other aquatic plants which had drifted together. 
These islands are barely a square foot in size, and never carry 
