Letters, Announcements, i^c. 381 



tion at which they were found, height of flight while migrating, 

 &c., I think he would be rendering good service by furnishing 

 data which would at all events assist in throwing some light 

 on the details of the mystery of migratory journeys, a class 

 of information much required. 



Except for its geographical position in connexion with the 

 question of migration, lying, as it does, in a direct line with 

 the African coast, Sardinia, and the shores of Southern 

 Europe, I consider that Corsica offers but a poor field to the 

 ornithologist. 



In the case oiHirundo rustica, I noticed, as did Mr. Wharton, 

 that amongst a large flock seen on the 17th April, near Lake 

 Bigulia, the colouring of the belly appeared to vary much ; 

 so we shot a large series in hopes of identifying H. rufula, 

 but did not succeed. The bellies of those obtained varied 

 from pure white to pale chestnut. 



Merops apiaster merits some notice, as the conditions under 

 which Ave met with that bird suggest to my mind that Corsica 

 is only a temporary halting-place for many of the summer 

 migrants from Africa. This bird was first observed at the 

 end of April ; and though undoubtedly many remain to breed 

 amongst the sand banks near the lagoons on the east coast, 

 still the main body of these birds pass on northwards to the 

 mainland. The Bee-eaters we saw were flying northwards 

 at a considerable altitude, out of gunshot. 



Turdus merula also deserves a notice. This species is very 

 plentiful during the winter ; and a few remain to breed. Mr. 

 Wharton and myself found two nests with eggs on the 15th 

 and 17th April. Both T. merula and T. musicus are essen- 

 tially winter visitants, ai-riving, as they do, in thousands — so 

 much so, that the right of snaring these birds is let to Italians, 

 who come over expressly for the purpose of capturing them. 

 The greatest part of the " catch " is either converted into 

 Pate de Merles de Corse, a delicacy much esteemed on the 

 continent, or the birds themselves are shipped to Marseilles 

 in the flesh. They are of three qualities : — 1st, those that feed 

 on the berries of the myrtle ; 2nd, those that subsist on the 

 ft'uit of the juniper ; 8rd, those that feed on the olive, — and are 



