222 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 
we had kept during the whole trip, while the letters and the 
various belongings, which lay all about the cabin in wild con- 
fusion, were also collected and packed. In the afternoon we 
spent some time in the smoking-room near the saloon, which 
had been fitted up as a magazine for the bird-skins. There 
lay the large vultures, the eagles, the other hawks, and 
many smaller birds piled up upon one another, and we our- 
selves were astonished at the number which had been brought 
together within the time, while it was very interesting work 
to turn over the beautiful specimens one by one and to cata- 
logue and put them in order. The whole vessel hada singular 
appearance; for under an awning on the deck stood the large 
table at which Hodek and his men always worked, everything 
round about it being covered with tow, hay, blood, bones, and 
feathers in various stages of decay, according to the time that 
they had been lying about. Towards the bow of the vessel was 
the large coop in which the live birds of prey were housed; 
and I can hardly describe what this menagerie looked like 
close by, or what an odour surrounded it. Altogether our 
steamer was exceedingly dirty, the whole upper deck being 
full of live creatures, skins, shooting-gear, and all sorts of 
things; for while work was going on there from morning till 
night it was quite impossible to keep it clean. 
Later in the evening, when we had finished our work and 
had made our final preparations for shortly quitting the 
steamer, we went on deck to enjoy the delightful air. There 
was not a breath of wind, and overhead stretched a cloud- 
less deep blue sky, while the “auen” above Baja, and afterwards 
the country round Tolna, presented themselves, most beautifully 
lit up. It was like a splendid summer evening, such as one 
never gets in more northern lands until about the middle of 
June, and the hours which we spent on deck admiring the 
lovely landscapes gilded by the setting sun were truly 
delightful. 
