60 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 



channel, and even drooped over its crumbling bank, which 

 was here several yards high. 



The nest appeared to have been just built, the many green 

 branches at its edge showing that it was not long since the 

 eagle had put the finishing touches to its abode. We ap- 

 proached it cautiously until we were under the tree, where I 

 became anxious about the outcome of the affair, for on the 

 side next the wood there was not the smallest opening from 

 which I could get a good shot, while if the bird were to fly out 

 across the water, the bushy branches of the tree on which the 

 nest was placed would prevent my having any better chance 

 of killing it. 



Hodek at once feared that here the eagle would be in its 

 nest, so I posted myself in the best place I could find, ready to 

 shoot ; but though he repeatedly tapped the trunk of the tree, 

 all was quiet. His practised eye had nevertheless recognized 

 the probability that, in spite of all this evidence to the con- 

 trary, the mighty owner of the nest might still be in it, yet it 

 was not until he had clapped his hands for some time and had 

 thrown up bits of stick that the eagle suddenly rose. 



The sharp cracking of the branches, the spreading of its 

 wings, and its flight towards the water, all took place in an 

 instant, and quickly as I put up my gun, the best moment was 

 already lost, and only a few twigs and leaves fell to the dis- 

 charge of both my barrels. 



Terrified and scared by the unseen danger (for we were 

 well concealed), the huge bird flew high and low over the 

 trees and bushes of the opposite bank, and at its cries of alarm 

 the male appeared, soon followed by the remaining eagle 

 from the previous nest ; and all three birds now cautiously 

 cruised round us in wide circles. We had quickly cowered 

 down behind a great tree, and had covered ourselves with 

 some branches, for, annoyed as I was at this my first failure in 

 eagle-shooting, there was still a ray of hope that as the eagle 



