Birds of Southern Spain. 399 



294. Sternula minuta. 



Tolerably abundant. I believe Lord Lilford obtained its 

 eggs. I found them at the mouth of the Ebro. 



295. Hydrochelidon hybrida. 



Abundant in the "marisma," where it breeds. To judge 

 from the contents of the stomachs of those I examined, their 

 principal food consists of water-beetles ; but they are very fond 

 of flies and mosquitoes, and may be seen hawking after them, 

 like Swallows, by the hour together. 



296. Hydrochelidon leucoptera. 



Only observed once in the " marisma ; " but eastwards it 

 becomes more abundant in spring, though I do not think it 

 breeds in any part of the peninsula. At the Albufera of Valencia 

 it was abundant in May ; and I also obtained it near Palma. 



297. Hydrochelidon fissipes. Valencian, " Fumarel,^' 

 This species is tolerably abundant in the " marisma,^^ where 



it breeds ; but over the rice-swamps of the eastern coast it 

 swarms. 



Terns in general are known as " Golondrinas de Mar/^ the 

 larger species (and some of the smaller Gulls) being called 

 " Gavinas," ordinary Gulls " Gaviotas," and a very large one 

 is called " Alcatraz." 



298. Chroicocephalus ridibundus. 



Common in v,finter, especially in the harbours. Vidal says 

 that it bred in his time at the Albufera ; but on my last visit I 

 could find no trace of it. 



299. Chroicocephalus melanocephalus. 



Less abundant than the preceding species in winter, it be- 

 comes more noticeable in March, when it assumes the full 

 black head. It breeds in the marshes near Cadiz and Huelva, 

 where I found it at the end of May, and have authentic eggs 

 from the former locality. 



300. Chroicocephalus minutus. 



Not uncommon off Malaga in winter and spring ; but its 

 stay is usually short. 



