of Western Greece. 379 



which forms an ahiiost impassable barrier both to the sportsman 

 and naturahst below the fountain issuing from the base of Ara- 

 cyuthus, in the vicinity of the salt-works. It would be difiScult 

 to go out anywhere on the level grounds of this region, or on 

 the still more extensive plains of Northern Elis across the gulf, 

 without seeing several Harriers skimming the lagoons and swamps 

 and marshy fields, ready to snap up an unwary bird. They 

 may be considered an especial feature ever present in the land- 

 scape of the snipe-shooter, often tempting him to waste a shot 

 upon their worthless carcases, and, above all, recalling to his 

 mind the traditions he may have heard from the older race of 

 fen-men of those halcyon days when Ramsey Mere^ Ugg Mere, 

 and Whittlesca i\Iere were in their glory, — days when the Bittern 

 was yet booming in the reeds at home, and when the early 

 collectors could gather a capful of Harrier's eggs as a May- 

 morning's work, 



C. cineraceus was not observed here ; it is considered to be a 

 rare bird in Greece. With regard to C. pallidus, which the 

 German naturalists at Athens consider to be of such frequent 

 occurrence, I cannot say that any specimens fell under my 

 notice : dm'ing the winter certainly none. One or two small 

 birds, which seemed to be of a lighter colour than usual, were 

 shot, but they turned out in every case to be specimens of 

 C. cyaneus. There are male specimens of C. pallidus in the 

 museum at Athens, from the neighbourhood of that city. It is 

 therefore pi-obable that the PalUd Harrier may occur more fre- 

 quently on the eastern side of the Hellenic peninsula, which 

 differs considerably in its ornithological character from the 

 ^vestern side. Nor is this to be wondered at, when we take into 

 consideration the very great difference in climate and vegetation 

 which distinguishes the two regions — a difference not to be found 

 within an equal space in any part of Europe. Vultur cinereus 

 affords another instance of this. It is not unfrequently obtained 

 in Attica, where possibly it may breed ; whilst in Southern ^tolia, 

 where V. fulvus abounds, and V. percnopterus in spring and sum- 

 mer is not uncommon, no single instance of its occurrence ever 

 came under my notice, or of that of any one on whose testimony 

 reliance could be i)laced. If tliere is any record of a Black Vul- 



