Birds of the Pyrenees. 367 



to the courtesy of the Director of the College of Oloron, 

 where what remains of Philippe's collection is still to be 

 seen, I possess a copy oE his extremely rare ' Ornithologie 

 Pyreueenne/ published in 1873, after his death, from his 

 notes, by M. Cazes. This catalogue would be exceedingly 

 interesting, but for the fact that the editor has incorporated 

 a number of passages which, from the manner in which they 

 are inserted in the original MS., are evidently either hearsay 

 or mere extracts from other writers, for guidance and com- 

 parison. It is only by being able to separate these that the 

 work becomes of value ; but of the conscientiousness of the 

 writer there can be no doubt. 



The district with which I am best acquainted is that lower 

 and comparatively wooded portion which lies between the Val 

 d'Aspe and the sea. During two winters and early springs 

 passed at St. Jean-de-Luz I made many excursions, and have 

 traversed the intervening ridges in all directions down to 

 Pamplona, to reach which the main chain has to be crossed. 

 Comparatively few people appear to be aware that it is not 

 the main chain, but a mere spur of the Pyrenees, which is 

 seen by the traveller on his left as he approaches the frontier 

 at the Bidassoa. The main line of the Pyrenees is crossed 

 far in Spanish territory, about Zumarraga, and continues 

 westward under the name of the Cantabrian range; but 

 about the latter portion I have nothing to say at present. 

 As regards the Basque country and Navai-re, the passes do 

 not exceed 5000 feet in height, and most of their lower slopes 

 are clothed with chestnut, beech, and oak. In the great 

 forest of Iraty there are, however, many square miles of 

 superb firs; but, like most large forests, it is not rich in 

 species of birds. Unfortunately, it is practically impossible 

 for any one residing at St. Jean-de-Luz to carry a gun through 

 the small mountain-passes on the immediate frontier, owing 

 to the sharp look-out kept for Carlists. That this precaution 

 is by no means unnecessary, is shown by the recent raid 

 made through the Valcarlos (which is the lower part of the 

 Roncesvalles pass) to Orbaiceta; that it is undesirable to 

 expose one's self to suspicion, is shown by the marvellous 



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