286 Lieut. R. M. Sperling on the 



a great many of them hawking for insects over the tields, Hying 

 at a height of about 20 feet^ and continually uttering a sound 

 between a low scream and a whistle. The stomach of one that 

 I examined was very full of Coleopterous and other insects. 

 I rather think that they catch as many on the ground as on 

 the wing, for they frequently settle, and run with all the ease 

 of a Plover." 



They roost on the ground, and fly late at night, their large 

 eyes being well adapted for seeing in the dusk. 



78. Great Bustard. {Otis tarda.) 



Plentiful in large flocks on the south shore of the Gulf of 

 Arta in the winter. They feed and sleep in the middle of the 

 plains, and are very shy of approach. When I got within about 

 1>>0 yards of them, by dint of crawling and wallowing in mud, 

 I could see their slaty-white heads watching me ; they would 

 then run a few steps, and fly straight away. I think the idea of 

 their running from pursuit, except when being hawked, is now 

 pretty well exploded. I believe the foxes and jackals sometimes 

 circumvent them, as I have often come upon their feathers 

 and bones scattered over the plain. 



79. Norfolk Plover. {CEdicnemus crepitans.) 

 Plentiful in Malta. 



80. Golden Plover. {Charadrius pluvialis.) 



I have never observed these birds in the Mediterranean during 

 the summer. I extract the following from my notes : — " No- 

 vember 22nd, 1862. Hiding for Duck in the Missolonghi 

 marshes, Grey and Golden Plover and Lapwing arriving in 

 abundance at 11 o'clock at night, soaring and whistling ovei- 

 my head. This is the first time that I have noticed them in any 

 quantities," 



81. Lapwing. ( Vanellus cristatus.) 



A very common bird on the northern shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean during the winter, where they arrive about the middle of 

 November. 



82. Grey Plover. ( Vanellus squatarola.) 



The same remarks aj)i)ly to these as to the Golden Plover. 



