236 Hon. T. L. Powys on Birds 



holes that we examined^ the eggs were laid on the bare sand, 

 without any attempt at a nest. I several times observed three, 

 and once or twice four birds fly from the same hole. These 

 birds leave the country as soon as the young are able to fly. 

 I have never seen them later than the beginning of August. I 

 observed also, in August 1858, on the banks of the Guadal- 

 quivir, near San Juan de Alfarache, where there is a large 

 colony of this species, that, although the banks were mined in 

 every direction, and exhibited signs of recent occupation, not a 

 Bee-eater was to be seen. 



145. Common Kingfisher. {Alcedo ispida.) 

 Very abundant, and resident in Corfu and Epirus. 



146. Hoopoe. {Upupa epops.) 



Very common in summer in Epirus, arriving about the 20th 

 March, and leaving the country in September. I do not think 

 that the Hoopoe breeds in the island of Corfu, though it is 

 common there in March and August. I once found a nest of 

 this bird in Epirus on the ground, under a large boulder on a 

 stony hill-side, but the usual site for it in that country appears 

 to be the hole of a tree. 



147. Common Nightjar. {Caprimulgus eui'opaus.) 

 Arrives in small numbers in Corfu and Epirus in April, but 



does not, I think, remain to breed. I found a small party of 

 Nightjars at Pagania in September 1857. 



148. Ringdove. {Columba pahtmbus.) 



I noticed very large flocks of Wood-pigeons near Phanari, in 

 the plains through which the Acheron runs. This was in March 

 1857. I have occasionally seen a few in diff'erent parts of 

 Epirus during the winter months, but it is not abundant in that 

 province. I never saw it in Corfu. 



149. Stock-Dove. {Columba cenas.) 



Common about the shores of the Gulf of Arta in March 1857. 

 I have seen single birds at all seasons of the year near Butrinto 

 and Kataito, and once or twice in the island of Corfu. 



150. Rock-Dove. {Columba livia.) 



Very common, and resident on the coasts of Albania, Epirus, 



