Birds of Southern Spain. 391 



247. Egretta alba. 



Rare. I saw one individual in the Goto de Dofiana on 2nd 

 May, but I have no knowledge of its breeding-place. It visits 

 the east coast with more frequency than Andalucia. 



248. Egretta garzetta. " Garza blanca/' 



This species, which occurs in suitable localities throughout 

 Spain, is abundant in the Cotos of Doiiana, where it doubtless 

 breeds ; but I have never been able to obtain its eggs, owing to 

 the unexampled drought which has prevailed for three succes- 

 sive springs, viz. 1868, 1869, 1870. In wet seasons, such as 

 that of 1866, almost all the European Herons, with Spoonbills 

 and Glossy Ibis, might, I believe, be found breeding in the 

 wooded swamps, where, in May 1868, I saw hundreds of old 

 nests ; but not one single egg could I find, nor have my col- 

 lectors been more fortunate either later in the season or in the 

 two following years, though the birds were always numerous. 



249. BuPHus BUBULcus. " Purga-bueyes," a corruption of 

 " Espulga-bueyes.'^ 



Thousands may be seen in the " marisma," but, scattered as 

 they generally are amongst the herds of almost wild cattle, it 

 is not always easy to obtain a clear shot. My remarks about 

 the breeding of the preceding will apply to this and to the fol- 

 lowing species, with the addition that in the " Fonda de 

 Europa'^ at Seville, there are, or were, two which were taken 

 from the nest in 1867. They used to stalk about the "patio," 

 delighting the visitors by their adroitness in catching flies, and 

 at night they retired to roost in the orange-trees. 



250. BuPHUs ralloides. " Cangrejera." 



Though numerous, it is less abundant in the " marisma " 

 than the two preceding species ; it is also much later in assum- 

 ing its breeding-plumage, many of the specimens which I ob- 

 tained at the end of May having the neck still partially bare. 



251. Ardeola minuta. "Cangrejerita;" in Valencian, 

 " Gomet." 



Tolerably abundant in marshy places, where it breeds; it is 

 quite common on the Albufera. 



2 e 2 



