on Spanish Ornithology. . 67 



doubt more extended observations would result iu some 

 additions to their lists ; but such could only or mainly, I 

 think, be the accidental occurrences of stragglers from Africa 

 or Eastern Europe. Therefore I now propose to supplement 

 the work of the above ornithologists by notes of my personal 

 observations of such species as I met with, arranged, as nearly 

 as may be convenient, in the different years in datal sequence. 

 During two springs my '' base of operations " was the city 

 of Jerez de la Frontcra, in Andalucia, and the first expedition 

 to the Sierra de Jerez for a week^s boar-shooting. This 

 sierra, a spur of the Nevada range, at a point about thirty 

 miles east of Jerez trends to the southward, and finally ends 

 in our noble fortress of Gibraltar. Riding out, on the 26th 

 of March, through the sandy vine-clad zone which surrounds 

 the city of Jerez, the most conspicuous birds were the Black- 

 start (Ruticilla titys) , everywhere flitting about the hedges of 

 cactus and prickly pear, and the Woodchat perched on the top- 

 most lobe ; up and down the tall flowering stalks of the aloe 

 climbed Blue and Great Tits. Further out, on the plains 

 of palmetto-scrub, our Common Stonechats and Wheatears 

 of two species {Saxicola aurita and S. stapazind) abounded ; 

 but certainly the most numerous species was the Common 

 Bunting [Emberiza miliaria). The number of this bird 

 throughout Spain is incalculable ; wherever one may be, 

 there are the " Trigueros ''■' in thousands, and their harsh 

 monotonous scream is positively irritating in its ceaselessness. 

 The Alaudidse were also represented by many Calandra and 

 Short-toed Larks; and along the sandy lanes the Crested 

 Larks were busily dusting themselves. It is worth noting 

 that our common Skj^-Lark and Meadow-Pipit, and also the 

 Song-Thrush, all of which are abundant in winter in Spain, 

 had already proceeded north to breed ; whilst Turdus merula 

 and Emberiza miliaria are resident in that country. A few 

 Redstarts were observed, and numerous lively flocks of 

 Goldfinches flitted by. For several leagues in the vicinity 

 of the sierra our course lay through undulating wooded 

 plains of exquisite beauty. Here the characteristic species 

 were Rollers, newly arrived. Southern Grey Shrikes, aod 



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