230 



A SKETCH OF THE 



broom, cistus, privet, climbing asparagus, pistacia bushes, evergreen 

 oaks and pines were mingled together, engaged in a Darwinian 

 struggle for existence. Peas and beans are in full bloom, and in one 

 garden some satirical person had put up a scarecrow, in a land 

 where there are no birds to frighten. 



But if there are no birds to sing among the branches of the trees, 

 their places are fully occupied by the green frogs, which all day long 

 lie concealed among the friendly-coloured leaves, and only make 

 their presence known when twilight succeeds the day ; then the 

 chorus begins, and through the length and breadth of the Riviera a 

 fearful croaking prevails, and lasts throughout the night. Thousands 

 occupy the tanks with which the country abounds, and " fiends in 

 shape of boys " may be seen catching these helpless reptiles and 

 stuffing them into their trouser pockets, either for future amusement 

 or for sale. 



Soon after noon we reached Cape Noli, the most beautiful part of 

 the Corniche road. A precipice on our left rose nine hundred and 

 fifty feet straight out of the sea, and on its summit many a fierce 

 struggle is said to have taken place in days gone by between the 

 inhabitants of these shores and the Algerine pirates ; the vanquished 

 party, or at least those not required for slaves, being flung over 

 the precipice into the sea below. Here we saw for the first time the 

 beautiful red-winged creeper (Tichodroma muraria) searching for 

 insects in a small dell among the rocks, where a cascade comes 

 tumbling down the mountain side. It probably had a nest close by, 

 and whilst I was trying to find it my companion made a sketch of 

 the scene around, although. his most brilliant colours paled before 

 those of nature, for the rocks reflected indigo, purple, and Naples 

 yellow, with mauve-coloured stocks scattered here and there in 

 company with emerald-coloured spurges. The sky above was 

 cobalt blue, whilst the sea reflected sparkling ultramarine below. 

 Nor did the beauty of the landscape suffer when an express train 

 issued from a tunnel in the rock, sending up a cloud of pure white 



