PA-CHOW ISLAND 65 
After getting a few ducks only, we went on to Pa-chow. 
This island is in great part submerged when the river 
is high, and is situated near the right bank of the 
Yang-tze-kiang. There is a passage for native craft 
between it and the shore at all times, but as the river 
subsides the sands are very dangerous, being quick, 
or running, until the water has drained out of them. 
They are then hard, and quite safe. 
The island may be from seven to ten miles long, and 
is sparingly inhabited, there being a few hamlets only. 
The natives occupy themselves as agriculturists or 
fishermen, but are all very poor. Numbers of grey 
geese are seen on the banks, but they are very difficult 
to approach. At mid-day they may be seen in large 
flocks resting on the dry sands in the higher parts of 
the island. At night they go inland to the corn-fields. 
to feed, and do much damage to the crops. Cranes 
and storks of the same species that were seen at Hope 
Island were also seen here plentifully, and a small 
species of turkey buzzard also. Deer occur sparingly 
on the island, and are not easily shot. They are of a 
small species. On the bank of the river opposite the 
island very good pheasant shooting used to be had, 
but it has now been ruined by the Chinese, who have 
destroyed the cover. 
We now commenced our return, and on the way up 
F 
