THROUGH WILD EUROPE 231 



into view of the focusing screen, and there were 

 quickly nine of these handsome birds quarrelling and 

 righting over the calf. A single Griffon also came, 

 but departed before I could get a plate in. Then 

 suddenly appeared on the carcase a Sea Eagle, 

 an immature bird. 



All the Neophrons and Ravens retired to a 

 respectful distance while his majesty dined. It was 

 a splendid sight to see this noble-looking bird draw 

 himself up and stare around him in disdain if any of 

 the Vultures presumed to approach him too closely. 

 Though he condescended to dine off carrion it 

 was done in a most dignified manner, with none of 

 the gulping and gobbling so characteristic of the 

 Vultures. 



The further use of this useful hiding-place was 

 brought to an end by ploughing being commenced 

 by my hosts in the field, and it was useless to expect 

 Vultures, let alone any more Eagles, to come to it. 

 The dogs also, which had followed the men, had by 

 now found it out, and quickly finished it. 



This family with whom I stayed, a self-invited 

 guest for a week, treated me with the utmost kindness 

 and courtesy. They were three brothers, Hilo, 

 Filipo, and Drek Kanchay, and they all lived 

 together with their wives and families, as is the 

 custom here. In an unsettled country this patriarchal 

 mode of living has its advantages, three families 



