Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-07-02
IN THE NILE DELTA.
Driving Waterfowl in Boat and
Killing Them by Thousands.

Bordering the coast of Egypt in the |
broad alluvial delta, says the London
Field, are several inland lakes. three at
least of these being each as large as a
good-siZed English county. In very few
parts are they more than six feet deep.
the average depth being about four
feet. These lakes are all salt to a
greater or less degre but abound in fish
of various species and afford plenteous
keep for the vast flocks of wild fowl
which visit them in winter.
During the autumn months. from
September onward, these birds include
several varieties of duck, widgeon and
teal. also enormous quantities of large
black coot as well as fair numbel of
Wild geese. All these cOngregate on The
lakes. The natives hold organized
parties throughout the winter to shoot
these wild fowl. Each party is called
4 "Sed"
The plan Of campaign at a sed is
most novel and remarkable. and it is
in the number of guns more than the
sum total of the bag that the record
consists. ON the given morning at
sunrise. some 20 natives, all armed
with guns. breech or muzzle leaders,
lHe-ct att s'oiIc t.aCt on the
bank OF the lake. The small party Of
Europeans, OF which | have more than
once been member, turn w iii small
punts, each capable of accommodating
two guns. Each punt is ably pilotcd
by Il fcllah, who pushes from behind
rs he wIueS along in the water. There
are usually Il few natives out in SINH
lar craft, but these they navigate by
means Of dim bamboo rods, which they
work, one in each hand.
When all are ready. this huge rcgi-
ncnt spreads out in the form Of a long
chain across an arm of the lake. There
is no attempt to keep at regular spaced
distances Of. say, 80 yards. FOR if this
We're done the guns would often sweep
Il stretch Of nearly six niles. This, |
however. is quite unnecessary. for
every man has, as n rule. as much
shooting as he can wei manage when |
the guns are much more concentrated.
The awful army covers a width of
about two miles, ana the drive is usual |
ly about three miles long, occupying
some four hours. During this time
firing is practically continuous.
The natives do not mind tho water |
fortably for hours together. in water
varying in depth from the knees To the
chest What Is more, they manage,
under these conditions. to keep their
cartridges Of powder dry. and those |
with muZZle-luaders seem to experience |
but little difficulty. Needless to say. |
these do not fire unless there is every |
probability of an addition to the bag: |
but those with cartridges are surpriS- |
ingly lavish with them, and do not |
hesitate to take very sporty shots. |
Here one can see shooting of every |
class.
The drive consists in merely advance |
ing in line down the selected arm of
the lake. AL! along in front the sur
face of the lake is seen black with wild
fowl They do not seem to trouble
themselves much. but slowly retreat as
the line advances. Presently, how
ever, they begin to realize that they
are being inclosed. and then they rise in
small attachments. They might now
easily escape by making a circuit over
the land. for the banks are, as rule.
quite unguarded; but this they seldom
attempt Ia do.
They seem. like the stag and otter,
to rely mainly upon the water for
safcty-a sorry safeguard, indeed.
Neither do they seem to learn wisdom
by experience. for the natives have 4
shoot of the kind twice weekly, and
yet when pressed the birds always rise
and come straight back over the guns.
AS soon as the flight commences an
awful bombardmtnt follows. E.nor
nous charges of black powder detonate
on every side. ANA the whole heaven
rcSOundS. The noise of this terrific |
cannonade can b. heard distinctly n n
distance of four miles through the
clear air. The barrels of ones gun |
soon become uncomfortably hot. The |
whole atmosphere stinks Of powder.
Birds are seen dropping in all direc-
lions. while spent shot rdttlcs on the |
water around one.
Though the number Of guns is quite |
phenomenal. the bag also is not incon-
siderable. amounting, rs it usually does |
to between 1000 and 5000 birds Ill told. |
The cOOt as well as the ducks afford |
very good eating. and those which the |
natives do not require for their own |
use they can readily sell at from 81 to |
Cd each.