of Western Qreece. 391 



frequent in spring, and most likely breeds in the neighbour- 

 hood. 



Though parts of the lagoon are covered with Ducks during 

 winter, it is almost deserted by them in the month of May. 

 Anas boschas, however, breeds on the islands ; we found several 

 of their nests, some with eggs, others hatched off or taken. No 

 duck in Europe (let the high plateaux of North Africa be in- 

 cluded) has such an extensive breeding-range as the common 

 Wild Duck. The oologist in search of identified ducks^ eggs, 

 those most valuable desiderata of authentic cabinets, is sure to 

 come across more of these than of any other species. Even in 

 Lapland, the chosen breeding-ground of Wigeon, Teal, Golden 

 Eye, Crested Duck, and a host of others, a stray nest of A. 

 boschas is sometimes found, whilst in Greece it is the only duck 

 that breeds at all plentifully. Anas querquedula breeds, accord- 

 ing to report, in the marsh at Thei*mopyl?e, and perhaps here 

 also ; nor is it improbable that a few pairs of Fuligula mjroca 

 remain behind for the same purpose. 



The most numerous of all the birds during the latter half of 

 May on the lagoon of Mesolonghi are the Terns, and notably 

 Stei'ntB hirundo, minuta, and anylica. If unmolested, their num- 

 bers would be enormous, as there are probably few places in the 

 Mediterranean more adapted by nature for these birds, if innu- 

 merable flat islets and sandy spots, washed by an immense 

 extent of very shallow salt water abounding in fish, can be any 

 inducement to their undertaking the labours of incubation. 

 But now that the towns of Mesolonghi and iEtolico are be- 

 ginning to stir, and the fisheries to be more looked after, all the 

 birds will suffer from the increase of activity. The eggs of 

 Sterna anglica especially are much eaten by the natives. It was 

 from this circumstance that I came to discover their principal 

 colony, as the following extract from my note-book will show : — 

 " On the 23rd I started in a monoxylon with Vitalis and a native 

 to search the salt lagoon and the islets south-east of the town, 

 my chief object being to discover the quarters of Sterna anglica, 

 which was to be seen flying about in every direction. This bird 

 had caused me many a fruitless ride across the high plains of 

 the Atlas during the summer of 1857; and it now seemed likely 



VOL. II. 2 E 



