DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4615#0103
ANECDOTES CONNECTED WITH EXCAVATIONS. IOI
be seen early in the morning, as if they also had been
travelling all night. They took possession of the aque-
duct pier, which had the least ruined nest of last year
upon it—the one which would give them the least
trouble to repair and put in order. But although the
old nests appeared to have need of very little work to
make them comfortable homes for themselves and the
coming family, they were a long time (about three
weeks) completing their nests. The male bird went
for sticks, twigs, feathers, bits of rag, &c, and in pro-
portion to his success they bent their heads backward
and clapped their beaks, to show their satisfaction.
They often stood looking at the new acquisition and
studying the best means of utilizing it, about which
there seemed to be some difference of opinion—not an
unusual thing with married couples. There was often
a great fight for the best nests, which was partly carried
on by swooping down upon one another in turns with
their powerful wings, against which it was impossible to
stand on the edge of the nest. The clapping of their
beaks continued at intervals during day and night. One
day, near the Odeum, I saw a stork carry away captive
in his beak a large snake, which twisted and wriggled
in vain to escape. He doubtless made a very substantial
meal for the storks.
Turkish Dandyism.
When I was digging at the Great Theatre the Pasha
of Smyrna, who had been told that I had found great
treasures and beautiful statues, sent his secretary to
be seen early in the morning, as if they also had been
travelling all night. They took possession of the aque-
duct pier, which had the least ruined nest of last year
upon it—the one which would give them the least
trouble to repair and put in order. But although the
old nests appeared to have need of very little work to
make them comfortable homes for themselves and the
coming family, they were a long time (about three
weeks) completing their nests. The male bird went
for sticks, twigs, feathers, bits of rag, &c, and in pro-
portion to his success they bent their heads backward
and clapped their beaks, to show their satisfaction.
They often stood looking at the new acquisition and
studying the best means of utilizing it, about which
there seemed to be some difference of opinion—not an
unusual thing with married couples. There was often
a great fight for the best nests, which was partly carried
on by swooping down upon one another in turns with
their powerful wings, against which it was impossible to
stand on the edge of the nest. The clapping of their
beaks continued at intervals during day and night. One
day, near the Odeum, I saw a stork carry away captive
in his beak a large snake, which twisted and wriggled
in vain to escape. He doubtless made a very substantial
meal for the storks.
Turkish Dandyism.
When I was digging at the Great Theatre the Pasha
of Smyrna, who had been told that I had found great
treasures and beautiful statues, sent his secretary to