-2'2-2 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- 

 tusion, 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 had a 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 

 wag not a breath of wind, and overhead stretched a cloud- 

 less deep blue sky, while the " auen" above Baja, and afterw r ards 

 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. 



