Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-15
sHooTINGo1N THE NILE DELTA.
Driving Waterfowl in Boat and Kill
ing Them by Thousands.
From London Field.

From London Field.
Bordering the coast of Egypt In the broad
alluvial delta 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 greater or less degree,
but abound in fish of various species and
afford plenteous keep for the vast fiocks of
wild foNl which visit them in winter
During the autumn months, from Septem-
Der onward. these birds include several
varieties of duck, widgeon and teal, also
enormous quantities of large black coot as
well as a fair number of wild geese All
these congregate on the lakes. The natives
hold organized parties throughout the win
ter to shoot these wild fowl. Each party
is called a 'sed."
The plan of campaign at sed Is most
novel and remarkable, and 1t is in the num-
Der of guns more than the sum total of the
bag that the record consists. On the given
morning at sunrise some twenty natives all
armed with guns, breech or muzzle leaders
meet at some prearranged place on the
bank of the lake. The small party of
Europeans, of which have more than once
been a member, turn up in small punts,
each capable of accommodating two guns.
Each punt Is ably piloted by fellah, who
pushes from behind as he wades along in
the water. There are usually few natives
out in similar craft, but these they navi-
gate by means of thin bamboo rods, which
they work. one in each hand.
When all are ready this huge regiment
spreads out In the form of long chain
across arm of the lake. There is no at
tempt to keep at regular spaced distances
of, say, fifty yards, for IL this were done
the guns would often sweep stretch of
nearly six miles. This, however. is quite
unnecessary, for every man has, as a rule,
0<~ CHI fin nc hA rnY roll s.ra
when the guns are much more concentrated.
The awful army covers a width of about
two miles, and the drive Is usually about
three miles long, occupying some four
hours, During this time firing is prac-
tfcally continuous.
The natives do not mind the water in the
least but wade along quite comfortably 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 or powder dry. and those
with muzzle-loaders 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 car
tridges are surprisingly 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 Advancing
in line down the selected arm of the lake.
All along in front the surface of the lake
is seen black with wild fowl. They do not
seem to trouble themselves much. but slow
ly retreat as the line advances. Presently,
however. they begin to realize that they
are being inclosed and they rise In small
detachinents. They might now easily es-
cape by making circuit over<the land, for
the banks are as rule quite unguarded;
but TINS they seldom attempt to do.
They seem, like the stag and the otter,
to rely mainly upon the water for safety
a sorry safeguard, indeed. Neither do they
seem to learn wisdom by experience, for
he natl ives IhoV a n