IB FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 



were all very tame, and did not move until we had fired an 

 almost simultaneous volley, the incredible height of the trees 

 unfortunately told, for only one of the birds, hit by my 

 brother-in-law, sank slowly down towards the fields, and fell 

 dead among the reeds of the above-mentioned channel. The 

 other sportsmen therefore changed their rather too light shot 

 for heavier, and 1 took up my rifle, the surest help in such 

 cases. 



We now hid ourselves as well as we could in the thick 

 leafy wood behind the nesting-trees, to wait for the Cor- 

 morants to come down again. Assembled in a large flock, 

 the frightened birds flew about, high above the wood, and 

 were from time to time joined by others who were hastening 

 home from their fishing. The circles they were describing 

 now grew smaller and smaller, and we could hear the quick 

 beats of their heavy pinions more distinctly, when suddenly 

 there was a great rush, and above us sounded the grunting 

 cry which the Cormorant invariably utters on returning to 

 its nest, while the nervous flapping of the wings, by which 

 the awkward fellow continually strives to keep his balance 

 during the troublesome business of climbing up to the edge 

 of his nest, was clearly audible. In a few moments our shots 

 rang out again, and were immediately followed by the thuds 

 of the slain Cormorants as they fell to the ground. 



The poor creatures were really incredibly incautious, for 

 we repeated this manoeuvre several times, until they at length 

 found the matter was too serious, and flew round us in ever 

 widening circuits. 



At one of the last volleys a hard-hit bird had flown into the 

 dark wood behind us, and was sinking with staggering flight 

 lower and lower among the trees. I at once went to look for 

 it, but unfortunately my trouble was all in vain, the under- 

 growth of nettles and high grasses being too thick, while my 

 efforts were also impeded by the pools which had to be waded. 



