of Western Greece. 389 



ern Greece, occur but rarely in the neighbourhood of Meso- 

 longhi. The Quail {oprUt) is tolerably plentiful at times, and 

 many winter here. In December there is often very fair Quail- 

 shooting ; but the great spring migration, which covers some of 

 the Ionian Islands with Quuil towards the end of April, is but 

 slightly felt on this part of the mainland. 



Before quitting the region included between the AcheloUs 

 and the Phidaris, it only remains to take a 'monoxylon' and have 

 a sail upon tlie broad lagoon of Mesolonghi, not forgetting to 

 examine its muddy shores and numerous islets, which are the 

 breeding-gronnds of some of the many varieties of birds which 

 we see resting upon or hovering over its surface. As there is a 

 great change between summer and winter in its occupants, a 

 separate expedition for each season will disjjlay great variety in 

 the ornithological features of the scene. We will suppose the 

 first to embrace the greater part of the latter half of May, when 

 the majority of the birds that intend to breed here have already 

 j)repared their nests, whilst those whose breeding-grounds are 

 further north arc resting on the way from their southern quarters. 

 Beginning with the Waders, we are sure to notice abundance 

 o( yi£(/ialites cantianus, which breeds plentifully on the mud flats 

 and islets. Its congener, yE. minor, is not uncommon amongst 

 the immense gravel-beds of the Acheloiis and Phidaris, on one 

 of which I once picked up part of an egg-shell, evidently of 

 this species. GlnrcoJn proiincoln is distributed everywhere, and 

 Ijreeds in company with the Terns. A few pairs of the Stilt 

 [Himantopus rufipes) may also be seen flitting about : their 

 breeding-place is close to the edge of the rough fen near Mio- 

 lico. On the 15th, a Plover, flying rapidly towards the east, 

 was brought down by a quick shot, and turned out to be Squa- 

 tarola helvetica, still in the winter dress. November and May are 

 th8 months when this bird may be looked for in the marshes of 

 Greece. Of Totanus calidris a very few ])airs remain to breed : 

 one nest only was brought in. During winter it is so common, 

 that if you land on an island to get a shot at a snipe or a duck, 

 one of these birds is sure to rise up and go shrieking across the 

 water, to the great disgust of the gunner, as it puts the ducks 

 on the alert. Hence its name of /jiupTvpo<i, or the "Tell-tale." 



