254 y THE ZOOLOGIST. 
and Nasturtium. We soon entered the higher reed-beds, and 
progressed very well, the reeds being not quite so dense here, 
and the surface of the water being covered with the frog-bit 
(Hydrocharis morsus-rane). Besides this pretty plant, we noticed 
the magnificent Villarsia nympheoides, the odorous golden-yellow 
flowers of which are the most beautiful ornament of the Balta. 
Here we also remarked Ceratophyllum platyacanthum with fruit. 
Snails, spiders, small butterflies, and beetles inhabit this lonely 
wilderness. We passed several floating islands, but were not 
obstructed by them. On one of these our chasseur informed us 
that we were now only some thirty yards away from the nearest 
eggs. At this announcement we were not a little excited, but 
rowed along silently. The reeds got thinner; a little “liman” 
(lake) appeared, bordered by floating islands. Upon these we 
saw a few eggs, either of Pelecanus onocrotalus or crispus—we 
could not decide which, because no bird was to be seen. We had 
certainly come upon a deserted nesting-place, such as Ferdinand 
had already described to us. We therefore did not lose much 
time here, but tried to find the right breeding-place. This could 
not be found so easily. We had to pass a great many floating 
islands, as well as a few open patches of water. Upon the latter 
we saw numbers of Cormorants. We also found a young Pelican 
(P. crispus), which could not yet fly, and after chasing it for some 
time we caught it alive. Upon these islands we noticed gigantic 
specimens of the water-pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) in blossom, 
as also a very plentiful Nasturtium. Solanum dulcamara and 
Convolvulus sepium climb up to a great height and are covered 
with blossoms. Here and there the surface of the water is 
densely covered by the golden-yellow flowers of the common 
bladderwort (Utricularia). At length we reached the right 
“liman.” This deserted place, as we subsequently learnt, bears 
no name. ‘Through the reeds of the last floating islands we 
could overlook the surface of the little lake, in the middle of 
which was a large patch overgrown with Nymphea and three 
little reedy islands ; its borders being also formed by half-floating 
islands. Opposite to us we saw a large flock of Pelicans, partly 
swimming, partly standing up among or before the reeds. The 
sight was a charming one. A most peculiar music, if we may so 
call it, reached our ears, sounding as if several jew’s-harps were 
being played at the same time. Numbers of Pelicans, too, were. 
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