232 Mr. G. C. Taylor on the 



same size and, as well as I can recollect, of similar plumage to 

 a Francolin ; but 1 had no opportunity of examining it closely. 



I need hardly say that Quails [Coturnix vulgaris) are common 

 everywhere at suitable seasons. I shot them in Crete in Feb- 

 ruary. Large flocks were about the camp in September 1855. 

 An officer of Engineers shot sixteen brace one morning close to 

 Balaklava. They were fine game for the French officers, who 

 used to go out en grande tenue, and not unfrequently with 

 swords on as well as guns. 



I have already mentioned both species of Bustards {Otis tarda 

 and 0. tetrax) as occurring in the markets of Pera. Towards 

 the close of 1855, after I had left the Crimea, Otis tarda was 

 frequently obtained in the camp. Golden Plovers [C. pluvialis) 

 and Lapwings ( Vanellus cristatus) both occurred at Constantinople 

 and Ismid. When on the expedition to Kertch I saw a large 

 flock of Cranes, of what species I cannot say, passing over the 

 ships, and high up in the air. Herons {Ardea cinerea) were 

 observed at Constantinople, Ismid, and Crete; and though I 

 never saw Purple Herons [Ardea purpurea) in the flesh, I have 

 a skin of one given to me by Mr. Churchill. The White Heron 

 [Ardea alba) occurred at Ismid, also in Crete. White Storks 

 [Ciconia alba) were common in the outskirts of Constantinople. 

 The Curlew [Numenius arquatus) was seen at Ismid ; the Whim- 

 brel [N. phceopus), too, according to Mr. Churchill, occurs near 

 Constantinople. The Green Sandpiper [Tot anus ochropus) I saw 

 at Koslou, in July. I saw Woodcocks [Scolopax rusticola) at 

 Constantinople, also in the Crimea. I remember flushing one 

 in the thick outer scrub on the ground where the battle of 

 Inkerman was afterwards fought. Snipes [S. gallinago) are 

 common near Constantinople ; and I was credibly informed that 

 good sport was to be had on the Karasu river, not far from 

 Buyuk Chekmedji. They were abundant in the great marsh 

 near Ismid — also in the salt marsh at the head of Sudha Bay, in 

 Crete, not far from Khania. The Jack Snipe [S. gallinula) I 

 found in Crete ; I also killed several in the above-named marsh 

 at Ismid. The Coot [Fulicn at7'a) occurs at Constantinople, and 

 is abundant near Ismid, in large flocks. 



I saw Swans, Wild Geese, and Pelicans, I cannot say of what 



