2 9 o BIRD-HUNTING 



Then we had a hunt for a certain tree whereon 

 the Black Vulture had nested in former years ; but 

 after toiling up several hillsides, and forcing our 

 way through the undergrowth until we were tired 

 out, we found at last that the tree had fallen. We 

 were rather late for finding nests in this forest, for 

 the leaves were so thick and the trees so large that 

 it was very difficult to see even such a huge nest as 

 a Vulture's. We ought to have been here at least a 

 month earlier, in April. It was now the 24th of May. 



Some passing woodcutters on being questioned 

 told us of another nest at some distance, but again 

 we had great difficulty in finding it. At last after a 

 long search we saw an enormous nest on the summit 

 of a huge silver poplar, but so shut in with trees as 

 to be almost hidden. 



While I was cutting down two small intervening 

 trees which grew higher up the hillside, so that I 

 could get a clear photograph, I saw the bird's head 

 move in the nest, and, thinking there was a young 

 bird, called out to Rettig, who was lower down the 

 slope. 



To my surprise a huge Vulture then flew off, 

 showing a tremendous expanse of wings, and though 

 our fool of a driver had fired at it as she had left 

 the nest, she returned again in a few minutes while 

 I was struggling to get the camera to bear on the 

 nest. Rettig, who had rushed up, was very excited, 



