4 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 
to form a rapid idea of the birds of this part of the country, 
confirmed our determination of proceeding down the river 
towards the south. 
Spring had already come in its full glory: the migratory 
birds had all arrived at their old nesting-places, and the most 
charming and attractive season for the ornithologist was just 
beginning. 
The preliminaries of the Expedition had now to be 
arranged, and as a first step Hodek set off from Vienna 
to make some preparations in the Apatin district. I then 
requested permission to shoot from the proprietors of the 
estates which we were about to visit; and my uncle, the 
Archduke Albrecht, on whose territory we intended spending 
the first few days, kindly invited me to make use of his 
woods, and both Count Otto Chotek and his brother, Count 
Rudolf, did the same. 
A vessel had now to be secured, fitted with all that 
was necessary, and sent off to wait for us at Pest; Easter 
Monday, the 22nd of April, being fixed as the time for our 
departure. 
A few days before leaving, I telegraphed to my brother- 
in-law Leopold, at Munich, to beg him to join the expe- 
dition, and he duly arrived at Vienna on the morning of 
the 22nd. 
J was much bent on having him with us on this trip ; for 
being, as he was, a capital shot and a thorough sportsman 
from top to toe, such as one now but seldom meets with, this 
excursion was the very thing for him. We were also accom- 
panied by Count Bombelles, another excellent sportsman, 
Hight o’clock in the evening was the hour fixed for 
starting ; and many were the hearty wishes for good luck 
which our more or less sporting friends shouted after us 
as the engine snorted and whistled, and bore us off to the 
beautiful land of Hungary. 
