THROUGH WILD EUROPE 321 



the time — there were but few birds noticed above 

 Belgrade, and those few only of common species, 

 like Cormorants, Grey Herons, Ducks, or the smaller 

 Hawks, such as Hobbies and Kestrels. I saw no 

 Eagles or any of the larger birds of prey, which I 

 had been accustomed to see almost daily on the 

 lower parts of the Danube. 



The journey home by train was spoilt by a stupid 

 German porter, who put me into the Hook of 

 Holland train instead of the Calais-Dover at 

 Cologne — a most irritating mistake to happen at 

 the very last day, after knocking about for six 

 months through many wild countries without any 

 mishap. 



Thus ended an expedition full of interest, in spite 

 of some occasional hardship and discomfort and 

 constant and continual hard work. For bird and 

 egg collecting, combined with photography, in wild 

 countries, is no child's play, and requires absolute 

 fitness in condition and general health, and plenty 

 of enthusiasm for the work, without which it is 

 impossible to stand the strain and bodily and mental 

 fatigue. 



