288 Lieut. R, M. Sperling on the 



94. Woodcock. {Scolopax rusticula.) 



When the northerly winds of December begin to cover the 

 mountain-tops with snow, on the first starlight quiet nights the 

 Woodcocks float down from the north on " silent wing " to meet 

 their certain doom from Greek pot-hunter or British sports- 

 man. Should the weather be mild^ or the wind come from the 

 south, one night spirits them all away; but I am not certain 

 whether they go high up on the hills, or take a short move back 

 to the northward : probably the latter. 



95. Snipe. {Scolopax gallinago.) 



Arrives on the north shores about the end of November. They 

 are very plentiful on some parts, while on others, to all ap- 

 pearance equally as well suited for them, not one is to be seen. 

 I do not think we quite understand the working of the bump of 

 locality in these birds. 



96. Jack Snipe. {Scolopax gallinula.) 



Pretty common in winter : they arrive a little earlier than 

 the Common Snipe. 



97. Water-Rail. {Rallus aquaticus.) 



This little bird is very common, pattering along a few yards 

 in front of the Duck- or Snipe-shooter till a convenient clump 

 of rushes afford it a friendly shelter. 



98. Little Crake. {Rallus pusillus.) 

 Rather rare : I only shot one. 



99. Coot. {Fulica atra.) 

 Common. 



100. Caspian Tern. {Sterna caspia.) 



Very plentiful at Missolonghi, where hundreds may be seen 

 at once, as they float over the lagoons, ready to pounce on small 

 fry. 



101. Herring-Gull. {Larus ai-gentaius.) 



The commonest Gull in the Mediterranean. On a moonlight 

 night at Corfu I noticed about fifty Gulls feeding as calmly 

 and unconcernedly as if it had been broad daylight. I am not 

 aware that it has previously been remarked that they are night- 

 feeding birds. 



