in the Dobrudscha. 371 



as in the uplands^ which probably do not differ much in their 

 ornithological character from the district nearer the Black Sea. 

 The change is principally to be noticed in the bottoms of the 

 valleys communicating with the great valley itself, which, being 

 below the level of high-water mark of summer floods, are con- 

 verted into chains of small lakes and marshes stretching some 

 way back from the rivers. Here also there are trees, mostly 

 willows, few in number, and small in size compared to the mag- 

 nificent trees which fill the islands of the Danube on the Wal- 

 lachian side, where an immense territory of alluvial forest-clad 

 plains presents a marked contrast to the open and undulating 

 Dobrudscha. Throughout this region, including also the lateral 

 valleys. Herons, Storks, and allied genera are especially nume- 

 rous. The Common Stork {Ciconia alba) abounds, and may be 

 seen wading deliberately on the edge of every pool. All the 

 villages, particularly in the Turkish quarters, are full of their 

 nests, from which they keep up a perpetual clapping with their 

 mandibles, the only sound they seem capable of producing. On 

 the 1st of May, passing through a village inhabited by Walla- 

 chians, I saw several very tempting nests, and being desirous of 

 securing a sitting, mentioned my wish to a wily Greek, whose 

 services had been engaged for the day. We called at a house to 

 obtain a boat upon the adjoining lake, and whilst Demetri drew 

 off the attention of the owner, 1 placed a ladder against the wall, 

 ascended, and, before the man had time to turn round, was down 

 again, with the Stork's eggs in my pocket. There were four of 

 them slightly incubated. This was the only nest ever taken by 

 me, out of scores in that neighbourhood. The reeds on the lake 

 were much frequented by Herons. A nest of the Purple Heron 

 had been taken the day before, and the eggs of course eaten, 

 much to my annoyance. The Little Egret {Herodias yarzetta) 

 was also numerous, but had only arrived lately, as I should 

 imagine from their being there in small flocks moving about 

 from one place to another. Later in the season the Glossy 

 Ibis [Falcinellus igneus) is here to be met with ; but there was 

 no account of the Great White Egret [Herodias alba) breeding 

 in these parts, though doubtless they are to be met with on some 

 of the swampy wood- covered islands of the Danube. 



