Mr. H. Saunders on the Birds of Southern Spain. 67 



50. Merops apiaster. *' Abejaruco." 



Arrives early in April ; but I did not find eggs before the 

 middle of May. Almost every bank is tunnelled with their 

 nests ; and in the plains they burrow diagonally in the level 

 ground like rabbits. Sacks full are brought into the markets of 

 Seville and Cordova, where, after plucking, they are sold as 

 "Tordos/' a general name for Starlings, Thrushes, &c.; and at 

 the " Fonda de Paris " some dozen were one day served up in a 

 pie, the crops containing their insect food being left in, as an 

 improvement, I suppose. The proprietor had that day refused 

 my offer of a fine female Bustard {Otis tarda) as being "muy 

 basta'^ (very coarse) ; and this want of discrimination called forth 

 some observations " not at all to his advantage." 



51. Alcedo ispida. " Martin pescador." 

 Resident, but not very numerous. 



Degland gives Spain as one of the countries in which Ceryle 

 rudis has been obtained ; but I have no knowledge of the 

 existence of any authentic specimen. 



52. Upupa epops. ''Abubilla;" Valenc. "Put-put." 

 First arrival noticed on 17th March ; leaves in October. The 



eggs are not deposited till the end of April or beginning of May. 

 It is abundant everywhere. 



53. Caprimulgus europ^us. 



I have only obtained one specimen ; but Lord Lilford had 

 several brought to him at Seville in jNIay, and considers it 

 commoner there than in the Castiles. 



54. Caprimulgus ruficollis. " Zamaya," " Engana-pas- 

 tores," '' Chota-cabras." 



Arrives in May, and is always to be found in the Pine woods 

 near Seville. The eggs, two in number, are, as a rule, a trifle 

 larger than those of the preceding species ; but they vary so much 

 that unidentified specimens are valueless. This species enjoys 

 the same evil reputation for sucking the teats of goats and cows ; 

 but I never yet found a Spanish peasant who was idiot enough 

 to class it with the Hawks, as many of our English gamekeepers 

 do its congener. 



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