from Mesolonghi and Southern A^ltolia. 285 



mural precipice which bounds the northern arm in one con- 

 tinuous wall of rock for upwards of a mile at an elevation of 

 1000 feet. The great colony of Griffons inhabits the ledges and 

 caverns of this extensive precipice. The principal " club " or 

 place of call is in an enormous hole exactly opposite the western 

 arm, which the sun bakes powerfully of an afternoon, and where 

 many birds from the less favoured localities look in to have a 

 talk with their neighbours. 



It was on the morning of the 1st of March that Dr. Kriiper 

 and myself, after examining the cliffs from this spot, ascended 

 one of the fissures before mentioned to determine the exact posi- 

 tion of the Lammergeycr's nest. Following our usual plan, we 

 stationed ourselves at different points, whilst the Doctor fired his 

 gun. Nothing appeared, and we were just going away, when 

 the Lammergeyer was seen quietly floating back to its nest, 

 which was so exactly over my head, that I had not noticed her 

 as she quitted it after the discharge. Viewed from beneath, the 

 place seemed somewhat awful ; still we had hopes : yet how to 

 get above it w^as not so clear. However w^e summoned our 

 followers, and, having engaged two shepherd boys to show us 

 a goat track to the top, set off in high spirits at the important 

 discovery. This being the shady side of the Great Klissoura, 

 tliere is a considerable quantity of vegetation wherever the rocks 

 are not actually perpendicular, and even these are in some places 

 richly covered with ivy at their base. Goats are thus enabled to 

 scramble up and down to certain ledges between the tiers of the 

 precipice, where they nibble tlic leaves of the Tree- Sage, Prickly 

 Oak, Dwarf-leaved Holly, and branches of the WiUl Olive and 

 Terebinth (which are cut down on purpose), besides any other 

 green food they can get. Up one of these most difficult tracks 

 our little guides now led us, displaying on the way such agility 

 and daring as surprised me, considering that hardly any reward 

 will induce them to go down into a nest. They have, however, 

 no proper idea of using a rope, and once off their feet lose all 

 their courage. Just as we were at the most ticklish spot, two 

 Greeks suddenly appeared on the edge of the cliff above us, and 

 requested the boys not to show us any further, as the shepherds 

 did not wisli strangers to bncoiite acquainted with the passes. 



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