on Spanish Ornithology. 77 



three eggs, May 10th. The latter appears to prefer the 

 forests for nidification to the scattered trees, in which were 

 most of the nests of M. ictinus. 



On the wing the Ked Kite shows a broad white band 

 across the underside of the wings, caused by the basal half of 

 the primaries being white below. In M. migrans this band 

 is grey ; the tail of the latter is also much less forked and is 

 darker underneath"^. 



For capturing these and the other Raptores the circular 

 steel traps were invaluable, being absolutely certain and 

 saving much time. Besides, the miseries of a " puesto,''' or 

 ambush, of one or perhaps even two hours' lying on the 

 burning sand, awaiting the return of the old birds, were 

 indescribable. A buzzing column of mosquitoes focussed 

 themselves over one's face; tribes of black ants, like small 

 dumbbells, and creeping things innumerable, penetrated up 

 one's sleeves and down one's neck ; while huge hairy spiders of 

 hideous mien would gently lower themselves onto one's nose, 

 just at the critical moment when it was essential to remain 

 rigidly motionless. 



The pine-forests also produced two or three nests of the 

 Buzzard {Buteo vulgaris), each with three eggs. These nests 

 and those of the Kites and Booted Eagle are hardly distin- 

 guishable from below, except that perhaps the last-named 

 prefers the main fork while the others build out on the 

 branches. In the crevices of these large nests are often 

 placed the untidy grass-built edifices of the Spanish Sparrow 

 {Passer salicicola). On April 21st a pair of Hobbies were 

 observed frequenting a clump of pines, but no nest could be 

 found. 



Besides birds of prey, the scrub-covered plains swarmed 

 with Magpies, many of whose nests we destroyed every day. 

 By April 17th Bed-legged Partridge, Cushat, and Mallard 



* The Black Kite having recently been included in the British list, on 

 the strength of an individual killed in Northumberland, I may mention 

 that Mr. Hancock kindly showed me this specimen, which appeared to 

 differ considerably from those killed in Spain. AvS far as it was possible 

 to judge from exa«iiinng it in the case, it appeared to me to be of a diffe- 

 rent species. 



