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92 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
Cooks. 
Abdou (from 2nd cat.) 
Khaire (from 3rd cat.) 
Dragoman’s Boy. 
Pharach. 
The above may seem a large retinue, but it is impossible 
with the present system to do the Nile voyage with less, 
unless you are content to go up ina steamer; but no one 
should think of that who has plenty of time to spare, and 
can afford a Diabeyha. 
Little need be said of the voyage down the Damietta 
branch. There are no ruins, and it is only undertaken by 
those who go to shoot. At the Barrage we were de- 
tained several hours both in coming and going. Unless 
tourists agree otherwise in their contract, they will have to 
pay about seven pounds toll on the bridges, and the same 
on their return. We had a great deal of rain, and lightning 
several times, and our sailors, many of whom were Nubians, 
appeared to feel the cold very much. 
I must now try to describe the night I passed on Lake 
Menzaleh. I dare say some persons have seen in English 
estuaries flocks of Ducks so large that they might be 
estimated by acres; but Iam not exaggerating when I say 
that I saw there such droves as could not be distinguished 
from extensive islands. For over three miles the whole 
horizon sparkled with one vast unbroken horde, which, when 
they rose in countless myriads, seemed to darken the air. 
Pochards were the commonest species; next to them Shovel- 
lers, Pintails, and Widgeon, in about equal numbers. Nor 
was this amazing sight of Ducks all, for in the distance I 
could perceive an immense line of Flamingoes, whose re- 
flected hues of white and roseate were flashed back from 
the water, while the helter-skelter of a mighty army of 
