306 BIRD-HUNTING 



to be the custom to help yourself from a set net, 

 but only enough for the present needs. Naturally 

 enough, however, when overhauling a drum-net for 

 our dinner-pot we did not leave the best fish behind 

 us. Our drink was Danube water scooped up in the 

 boat's baler, or sucked up through a reed, and tea 

 made by boiling a handful of tea in the same iron 

 pot which had just cooked the fish. This was just 

 rinsed out, leaving the tea rather fishy from the 

 globules of fish-oil floating on the top. Our cook- 

 ing was done with reeds. This is the only fuel 

 used throughout the Dobrudscha. They give out 

 a great heat, but burn quickly. One of the paddles 

 being stuck into the ground at an angle, the big pot 

 was suspended from the upper end, and a double 

 handful of dry reeds lighted under it. This is 

 pushed forwards as it burns away, and replaced 

 with others when finished. Without reeds the 

 people here could hardly exist, they are useful 

 for such a variety of purposes. Like the fish, they 

 are a Government monopoly, and every household 

 pays a tax of about us. a year for the privilege of 

 cutting or buying as many reeds as they like. Each 

 house has its reed-stack outside in some convenient 

 place, big enough to supply its needs for the 

 winter. 



The cold here during the winter months is ex- 

 cessive. The ice forms on the Danube to the 



