228 Mr. G. C. Taylor on the 



marshes abreast of Chongar Strait, in which we spent a broiling 

 day, we could see abundance of weed, as well as shoals of young 

 fish." 



Now here is some new ground for the adventurous orni- 

 thologist, where he will find Waders and waterfowl in abun- 

 dance, to say nothing of other kinds of birds. The locality is 

 easily accessible by way of Odessa and Kertch ; and in May, 

 when the birds are breeding, the climate is very pleasant, and 

 not too hot ; and, according to Captain Osborn's experience, 

 the air of the Sivash is not unhealthy. I will promise that he 

 will not meet with any drawbacks half so dangerous and 

 disagreeable as the fevers, bad food and lodging, and ferocious 

 insects of the tropical back regions. 



He may extend his visit to the sandy spits of the Azov, and, 

 I have no doubt, will return with a collection of skins and eggs 

 which it will be hard to beat. For more detailed information 

 of these localities I must refer him to Captain Osborn^s article 

 above mentioned, or to my own * Adventures in the Crimea,* 

 which, I believe, contains the only existing account, except the 

 letters and despatches published at the time in the press, of 

 the capture of Kertch, and the first and principal raid of the 

 allied squadron through the Sea of Azov, and the attacks on 

 Ghenitchi and Taganrog. 



I will now proceed to the notes on the various birds observed 

 by me. Unless otherwise stated, the designations are fi'om 

 * YarrelPs British Birds,* 2nd edition. 



Griffon Vultures ( Vultur fulvus) were abundant in the vicinity 

 of Sevastopol ; and no wonder, considering the quantity of food 

 provided for them, and which they could obtain without risk or 

 trouble. I well remember, when returning from Balaklava to 

 the camp in the dark afternoons in November 1854, how enor- 

 mous they appeared when seen against the sky-line, perched on 

 the bodies of the numerous dead horses lying on the plain — 

 victims of the battle of the 25th of October. The Egyptian 

 Vulture {Neophron percnopterus) is abundant in and about 

 Constantinople in spring and summer. They sit on the roofs 

 of the houses, and breed on the ruined walls and towers of 

 Stamboul. 



