VI 



AN INTERLUDE WITH EAGLES AND STORKS IN 



ALBANIA 



The daily sight of a pair of Sea Eagles harrying 



the ducks and Coots on Durazzo lagoon induced us 



to spare a couple of days searching for their nest in 



a neighbouring forest. At this time of year the 



roads or tracks through the forests are in a dreadful 



state. As we plodded along, plastered with mud 



from head to foot, I wondered sometimes how the 



horses could keep going at all. B , however, 



assured me that the ground was better than he had 



ever known it — at this time of year, and that the 



last time he had passed that way for Woodcock 



it had been ever so much worse. There was an 



abundance of bird life as we proceeded through the 



forest. Hoopoes, Rollers, and Golden Orioles had 



now arrived, and the harsh scream of the Jay 



resounded through the forest glades as at home. 



Nightingales sung lustily in every direction, and the 



voice of the Turtle was heard in the land. Blue Tits 



and Great Tits appeared to be of much brighter 



1 06 



