seen on the passage from Malta to the Morea. 127 



the height it generally kept at I could not see well enough 

 to distinguish its species, seized a Sylvia Trochilus, all of 

 which it eat except the bill : of the latter species, one which 

 was taken by ourselves met with better treatment, and perch- 

 ing quietly on the finger was so carried about to feed on flies, 

 which, when taken near to, it seized, never leaving the hand 

 if the fly could possibly be captured from it. A female Golden 

 Oriole {Or'iolus Galbula), a Redstart (Phcenicura ruticilla), 



and a Lark (Alauda ), of what species I could not be 



certain, came on board — the Redstart was caught. Several 

 of the Hirundo rustica about the ship. A Wryneck {Yunx 

 torquilla) was captured, and on being taken within reach of 

 flies, at once picked them up*. When turning about its neck 

 in the manner peculiar to the species, this bird was compared 

 by some of the officers to a particular species of snake found 

 in Greece, and which, like it, has a dark band on the head 

 and neck. 



Two or three of the Upupa Epops and a Columba Turtur as 

 yesterday flew on board, but did not remain long. a Large 

 and small hawks" were reported to me as seen about the ship ; 

 but the Goatsucker and Cuckoo might, from their general ap- 

 pearance and mode of flight, be not improbably looked upon 

 as " small hawks ." 



April 26. — Wind N.E., 86 miles from Zante, the nearest 

 land : 130 miles from Navarino. A fine male Woodchat (La- 

 nius rufus), a White-collared Flycatcher (Muscicapa albicol- 

 lis), and one of Natterrer^s Warblers {Sylvia Natterreri) were 

 caught on board. 



A Sylvia Trochilus and a ChifF-chafF {Sylvia rufa) were 

 found dead in my cabin ; they had not been caught or in- 

 jured in any way on board, and must, I think, have died from 

 fatigue : want of food could hardly have caused their death, 

 as there were plenty of flies in the cabin. A Sylvia Curruca, 

 a Sub-alpine Warbler {Curruca leucopogon, Gould), a Saxi- 

 cola (Enanthe, a Whinchat {Saxicola Rubetra), a Pied Wheat- 

 ear {Saxicola leucomela), and an Alauda, of the same species 

 as noticed yesterday, flew on board, as did two or three indi- 

 viduals of Motacilla neglecta. Several of the Hirundo rustica 

 about the vessel during the day, and some remained, perching 

 on one of the boats, throughout the night. Three Bee-eaters 

 {Merops apiaster) came from the south, and flew close past 

 the ship without alighting. I saw four of the Columba Turtur 

 come from the south today ; two of them singly, the other two 



* The birds which, in addition to the Wryneck, fed freely on flies, when 

 taken within reach of them immediately after capture, were Sylvia Trochilus, 

 Motacilla neglecta, Hirundo rustica, and Hirundo urbica. 



