276 Pictures of Bird Life 



for it. Not lui\ing the necessary permit to pliot()<4Taj)li from 

 the mihtary authorities, I arranged to oo up Avitli the local 

 photographer, as he had a commission for some work there, 

 and, passing myself off as liis assistant, intended to devote 

 myself to the \"ultin'e. I^nfortunately he was prevented from 

 going, and the opportunity was missed. 



The fact is, the ordinary civilian in (ribraltar, especially 

 when making a short and temporary stay, is soon made to 

 realise that he is only there on sufferance, wliich indeed is the 

 case ; and unless he has introductions, or is known to the 

 powers that l)e, lie does not stand much chance of doing 

 anytliing, beyond going o\er the galleries in charge of a 

 sergeant and inspecting tlie lighthouse. I could have for- 

 gone these sights with much equanimity if I could have seen 

 the Bonelli's Eagles which liave nested for many years within 

 sight of one of tlie signal stations, or the Osprey's nest, or 

 the celebrated apes. 



As it was, these were forbidden pleasm-es ; and being 

 unable to do anything on the Hock, I crossed oxev to 

 Algerciras, and went inland a short distance by train to some 

 cork-woods, at a place called Almoraima. 



Leaving the little station, I found myself in very Eng- 

 lish-looking country ; tlie light, sandy soil was covered with 

 bracken, here and there were small reed-grown lagoons and 

 swamps, and from the oak- and cork-trees could be heard the 

 " Pink-pink '" of chaffinches and the notes of many Titmice 

 and Blackbirds. From yonder rose-spangled thicket entwined 

 with honeysuckle came the joyous melody of a Nightingale, 



