214 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 



and were now flying about the fields. I also shot from the 

 cart a Lesser Grey Shrike that was sitting on an acacia, and 

 was much amazed at the extraordinary number of " Ziesel " * , 

 for at every step these comparatively large creatures were 

 scurrying about the fields. Indeed, they were quite as nume- 

 rous as are, in some seasons, the field-mice of more western 

 countries. 



We soon got close to Kovil, and saw the plain, the moun- 

 tains far away to the south, and the vast magnificent oak- 

 forests all bathed in the most glorious light of the evening 

 sun ; while a deep blue sky overspread the whole of the 

 splendid landscape, and a soft summer-like air gladdened the 

 travellers who had come from colder regions ; for although 

 this part of the country is not picturesque, it nevertheless has 

 an air of beauty and repose, and, being laid out in large lines, 

 it is by no means wanting in grandeur. 



Rattling along through the village we very soon came to 

 the place where our steamer lay, and where a rather large 

 crowd had assembled ; for Brehm had here been busy with his 

 studies of the national dances, and had yesterday arranged 

 a " Kolo " dance on the meadow in front of our steamer, the 

 village maidens having hospitably acceded to the travelling 

 stranger's wishes ; but as he had returned much earlier than 

 ourselves, he had for to-day organized a small country fte. 



During the night the water had so flooded the meadows 

 that he had to conduct the entertainment from the bow of the 

 vessel, and it took place in knee-deep water ; this, however, 

 only added to the charm of the affair, as it obliged the dancers 

 to keep their garments from getting wet by very graceful 

 movements. The dance was just finishing as we got on 

 board, so some of the village maidens came on deck to present 

 bouquets, and a few minutes afterwards our vessel moved off 

 amidst the loud cheers of the population. 

 * Spermophilus citillus. 



