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 féte. 
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. 
