48 WANDERINGS OF A 



proof of the contrary, in the case of a boy who fell over- 

 board and passed under the steamer, reappearing on the 

 other side, where he was picked up not much the worse for 

 his ducking. 



The native boats are of the rudest description — flat-bot- 

 tomed, raised at front and stern, something like the ancient 

 British galley. The large square sail is all the canvas they 

 carry. Numbers of these primitive crafts may be seen upon 

 the river in every direction. The Indus is seen to the best 

 advantage when the sun is setting in all his fiery beauty, and 

 long trains of pelicans sweep along close to the surface of the 

 river, which, as far as the eye reaches, is studded with native 

 boats, and here and there a sandbank lined by myriads of 

 water-fowl ; shoreway there is little attractive save a clump 

 of date, or a tope of acacia, etc., which add however to the 

 true Oriental character of the scenery. The handsome little 

 black-billed tern {Sterna javanica) is abundant. It is to be 

 seen searching for fish in the little shallows, or by the banks 

 of the river, congregating in situations where its prey abounds 

 — now hovering and flapping its long pointed wings — then, 

 with a scream, darting downwards, with unerring accuracy, 

 and bearing off its scaly prize in triumph. 



Athwart the surface of the river, its little wings almost 

 touching the water, shoots like an arrow the beautiful Bengal 

 kingfisher (Alcedo lengalensis), now and then dipping its green 

 and azure plumage in the muddy stream. So closely allied 

 is this species to the European bird, that unless minutely 

 examined there is no knowing the one from the other. 



The brahminy kite {Ealiastur indus) is a handsome bird 

 of prey ; although wanting the grace and rapidity of flight of 

 the govind-kite, it has the advantage as regards beauty and 

 colouring of plumage. Individuals may be seen frequently 



