218 Mr. II. Saunders on the Birds of Southern Spain. 



151. EmBEUIZA PYllRUULOIDES. 



This species, which differs from the foregoing in its size, its 

 stronger bill, and especially in its note, is found in the east of 

 Spain, and there are specimens in the museum of Valencia. In 

 November 1867 I observed several birds of this species from 

 a short distance ; but perched as they v^^ere on the reeds of the 

 Segura, then a swollen flood, it would have been useless to 

 shoot at them. Had I not watched them, I should certainly 

 have attributed their hoarse note to the frogs which swarm in 

 the neighbouring " acequias." 



152. Passer montanus. 



I only observed this bird in one locality, namely in some 

 Alders on the banks of the Segura. Amongst the numbers of 

 P. dumesticus brought into the markets, it presence was never 

 detected. 



153. Passer domesticus. " Gorrion." 



The common Sparrow of the country, breeding in similar 

 localities to those adopted by our own familiar bird. 



P. cisaljjinus is said to occur in Majorca ; but among those ob- 

 tained during my stay there were nothing but P. domesticus. 



154. Passer SALicicoLUs. '^ Gorrion-moruuo/' 

 Abundant in the country, far away from any habitations, 



nesting in the foundations of Eagles* and Kites* nests, and also 

 making distinct nests on branches of pines, of much finer and 

 neater workmanship than that of the preceding species. It is 

 occasionally to be found in the markets, in considerable 

 abundance when some peasant has made a raid upon their 

 haunts ; but weeks may elapse before another specimen makes 

 its appearance, its usual haunts being far from those frequented 

 by the bird-catchers. 



155. Pyrgita petronia. " Gorrion-montes.** 



A very local species, but not rare. It breeds in ruins, old 

 walls, wells, and similar places ; but I never was able to obtain 

 the nest myself; one was brought to me from a well-known 

 locality, which lay too far out of the track for my personal in- 

 spection. 



