‘A JOURNEY IN THE EAST’ 311 
Our little boat was now dragged across the island in order 
that we might approach the flock from the opposite side’; but 
when we had got within about four hundred yards the Fla- 
mingoes, which had hitherto been standing motionless, began 
to move about restlessly, whereupon we fired our first volley, 
and immediately the wonderful rosy cloud of birds got up 
and flew far away. 
Only one remained behind, and supported itself with dif- 
ficulty, half standing, half swimming. We could see with 
the glass that it was wounded, and were rowing up to it 
highly delighted, when the bird began beating its wings and 
flapped away low over the water, disappearing from view 
behind some islands. 
Much disappointed we went on to a long island with a 
large white sandbank, shooting some smaller birds on the 
way. There we intended to choose good positions for lying 
in wait for the evening flight, as the waterfowl were already 
beginning to collect. 
Unfortunately this capital-looking island was already 
occupied by a very tattered old birdcatcher, who was sitting 
in a hut made of small branches, while beside him crouched 
his child, an urchin covered with flies, gnats, and all manner 
of vermin. From his hut he was working some large fall- 
nets by means of cords, using as decoy-birds a poor blind 
miserable-looking Pelican and about a dozen Cormorants, 
which were tied to stakes, and had all been deprived of 
sight. 
It really seemed to be an excellent place for hirds, as the 
ground was covered with rotten fish, guano, and feathers, but 
no Kuropean nose could have stood it long. Moreover the 
poor bird-snarer seemed to be by no means pleased at our 
visit, and muttered some surly words into his shaggy beard ; 
so we did not disturb him long, but soon rowed over to 
another narrow island which lay opposite. There we took up 
