Bird Life in the Spanish Marismas 



325 



mv caiiiem luid become rusted from its Imvino; been blown 

 over into tlie water while photo ()Taphin(>' Herons, and I was 

 unable to work it. A\"hile tinkerino- at it, the })ird flew off 

 slowly, and settled on a dead tree at a short distance. After 

 a long and careful stalk tlu'ough the brushwood, it took 

 alarm long before anything like a close enough approach 





^T^% 



Nest of Avocet {Rcciirvirostra avocetta) made of Flamingoes' Feathers. 



had been made ; and, to my surprise, it was followed by 

 seventeen otliers, wliicli liad been in the same tree, but 

 invisible through the bushes. This was the most intimate 

 acquaintance made witli tlie A ultures during the Avhole of 

 our ^'isit — much to my disappointment : for these large 

 birds, despite their repulsive liabits, are, by their size and 



