THE WESTERN BEND 235 
activity of the prey demand it, the bird’s wings are half- 
opened to give an extra turn of speed. 
Often a cordon of pelicans, swimming in column 
abreast, move slowly along some backwater, all fishing 
independently. In appearance, such formation might 
suggest an organised “fish-drive” ; but all that is fantasy. 
The opaque mud-charged waters of Nile conceal from 
the fish all indication of an approaching enemy. Neither 
drivers, stops, nor flankers are needed. Besides that, Nile 
fish are inert and sluggish—retrograde, like Nile geese? 
Had the pelican to depend upon catching trout, he would 
starve in a week. 
Another striking fish-eater here is the wood-ibis, a 
big stork-like bird, mostly black and white but showing 
a clear pinkish blush. His long curved mandibles are 
“ Murderous Mandibles.”—Saddle-Billed Jabiru and Stilt. 
Sketched at Khor Attar. 
(By inadvertence the Stilt is drawn disproportionately big.) 
