3i 8 BIRD-HUNTING 



Durazzo and Budapest. (For a list of species met 

 with, and specimens of eggs and skins procured, see 

 Appendix.) 



The homeward journey was made by steamer up 

 the Danube as far as Vienna, a voyage of about 

 a week, I was anxious to see something more of 

 this great river, and more especially to have an 

 opportunity of seeing Servia and Bulgaria. Besides, 

 I had a lively remembrance of the discomfort of the 

 long railway journey I had last year from Galatz to 

 London in July — four days and nights in a stuffy 

 second-class carriage, so crowded that I was not 

 able to stretch my legs the whole way, day or night. 

 Compared with this uncomfortable state of things, 

 travelling by steamer was luxurious, if slow. 



I should have liked to land at some of the pictur- 

 esque little riverside villages in Servia and Bulgaria, 

 especially the former, but time did not permit, and 

 all I could do was to attempt snapshots as the 

 steamer slowed up when about to stop. Objects 

 of interest were not wanting as we forged ahead 

 against the strong current ; sometimes a Sea Eagle 

 could be seen watching for his prey on a dead 

 stump, or a willow-tree overhanging the water; some- 

 times a group of Herons and Ibises were passed ; 

 historic castles and the scenes of ancient battles 

 mingled with more peaceful sights such as the 

 curious boat-mills floating in the quieter backwaters, 



