3 io BIRD-HUNTING 



swing. We had a fine carp for supper, and after 

 tea and cigarettes made ourselves comfortable for 

 the night. I had my india-rubber ground-sheet and 

 a sleeping-bag, in which, with my heavy Burberry 

 coat over all, I slept like a top. I could spare a rug 

 for Rettig, who was not so well provided. In fact, 

 with this outfit I was so warm and comfortable that 

 I could half undress and sleep through heavy rain 

 without shipping a drop inside. In the morning the 

 shallow water which surrounded us was alive with 

 Night Herons and Squacco Herons, Glossy Ibises 

 and other long-legged water fowl. I could have 

 spent the whole day here with great advantage, as 

 there was decent cover for hiding up, and I should, 

 no doubt, have been richly repaid in photographs, 

 as it was evidently a favourite resort. I have 

 regretted ever since that I didn't stop longer ; but 

 when one is on a quest for special objects it doesn't 

 do to tarry anywhere or to be led aside for anything 

 else, however tempting. Until the Pelicans were 

 found I felt bound to keep moving on the search, 

 and accordingly we proceeded on our way with 

 reluctance. While the breakfast was cooking a 

 string of seven Mute Swans flew over. 



Heavy rain drove us to take refuge towards mid- 

 day in an empty' hut made of reeds. Nothing but 

 such bad weather, for it was a regular downpour, 

 would have induced me to enter this noisome abode ; 



