258 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
confirms this. Larger flocks were constantly circling over 
the lake but did not dare to come down. We shot one, which 
proved to be an old P. onocrotalus. While thus engaged in 
collecting, evening drew near, and it became high time to look out 
for our camp, if we did not wish to become the victims of the 
“wild army” of mosquitos. Storm clouds rose menacingly from 
the western horizon, concealing the setting sun. We could not 
possibly remain upon this lake on account of the smell, and, 
therefore, rowed through the floating islands to another one. 
Anxiously, however, as we looked for a suitable dry spot, not one 
could be found. As soon as we placed foot upon the supposed 
land, it went under water. A few rain-drops fell; we were wet 
through already as it was, which is unavoidable on excursions like 
these, and we began to feel slightly uncomfortable. We rowed 
rapidly on, looking out for land, for the forerunners of the “ wild 
army” had already begun to appear. At last we found a some- 
what firmer and larger island, thickly clad with Nasturtiwm and 
Polygonum. As quickly as possible we opened our mosquito-nets, 
but before we had finished the blood-thirsty millions appeared, 
enveloping us and everything around us in dark clouds and 
tormenting us to death. The agony cannot be described. Under 
the circumstances we could not think of a layer of rushes to he 
upon, and we were thankful when we could creep under the net, 
which protected us a little at least. We could not be more 
uncomfortable than we were; we could not move if we did not 
wish to sink into the water which closely surrounded us. Fortu- 
nately the thunderstorm passed away, but we were nevertheless 
effectually saturated, for—the island sank! 
July 18. A night in the Pelican colony! ‘To pass a night of 
this description requires all the enthusiasm of the naturalist. 
To be submerged every minute deeper and deeper in stinking 
water, without daring to move—to have frogs, leeches, and other 
vermin under and beside you, beleaguered by innumerable hum- 
ming and buzzing mosquitos, the noise alone is enough to drive 
one to despair; this is really no pleasure. We therefore felt 
like being born afresh when, half an hour after sunrise, we could 
lift up the net and wade to our boats like water-rats. We had 
not slept a wink—it was really most unpleasant; and it was only 
after we had rowed for some distance upon the lake and the 
sun’s rays had warmed us a little, that new life returned. We 
