i 7 o BIRD-HUNTING 



this went on, until at last a nest was found high up 

 in the reeds, made like a Purple Heron's nest, in 

 which were lying four pale-blue eggs. 



But this alone was insufficient. I had seen Grey. 

 Herons rise from the reeds, and the eggs of the two 

 species are so much alike that further identification 

 was necessary, if only for my own satisfaction. 

 Crouching in the reeds at a little distance I waited 

 until a pair of veritable Great White Herons 

 hovered over the nest, preparing to alight. 



At last, after a whole month's search in Montene- 

 gro and Albania ! Only those who have experienced 

 the difficulties, uncertainties, and disappointments of 

 such a search can sympathize with the relief I felt 

 at having finally succeeded. 



Then I went back to the boat for some much- 

 needed refreshments, and received the compliments 

 and congratulations of Djouraschkovitch, who con- 

 fessed that he would have given up the search long 

 ago as hopeless. During my absence he had found 

 the beautiful nest of a Penduline Tit suspended from 

 the extreme tip of a willow twig. 



Back we' went with the camera so as to lose no 

 time in obtaining a photograph. Djouraschkovitch, 

 being anxious to see the nest, accompanied me into 

 the reeds. It will give some idea of the difficulty 

 of birds'-nesting in these places when I say that for 

 two hours we searched in vain for it, though I 



