of the Delta of the Rhone. 183 



south of the Delta, and it is quite useless to endeavour to 

 escape its ever- assiduous attentions. True, we had the 

 orthodox veil, but the choice lay between being smothered— 

 for the heat in the Delta is intense — or bitten, and the mos- 

 quito triumphed. 



The shores of the Mediterranean, and the saudhills 

 adjoining, do not call for many observations. The former 

 were exceedingly barren ornithologically, and even the 

 Kentish Plover and the Oystercatcher, for both of w^hich 

 they are eminently suited, are not at all common. A few 

 Terns, chiefly the common species, hover over the sea, and 

 Gulls [Larus cachinnans) were not uncommon. The hollows 

 among the sandhills are in some places clothed with bushes, 

 and these are frequented by a few common species, chiefly 

 Passerines, none of which are of sufficient importance to 

 mention, but their presence will be duly remarked upon in 

 the annotated list of species. 



Several species as Camargue birds appeared to be confined 

 to the immediate vicinity of the Grand and Petit Rhones. 

 The most interesting, in a way, among these was the 

 Egyptian Vulture, which is common on the margins of the 

 larger river just above the embouchure. The other species 

 not observed elsewhere in the Delta were the Martin and the 

 Sand-Martin. 



A visit was paid to the Petite Camargue, or the region 

 adjoining and beyond the west bank of the Petit Rhone and 

 bordering the Mediterranean. This is a remote district and 

 somewhat difficult of access, and it was hoped that it would 

 prove to be interesting ornithologically. It much resembles 

 the waste and lagoon regions of the Camargue, and its bird- 

 life was very similar, but it must be remarked that the 

 Flamingo was absent. A large sandy mound between two 

 almost dry lagoons was covered with well-grown pines, in 

 which several pairs of Carrion-Crows had nests ; and in the 

 immediate vicinity several Hobbies were busily pursuing 

 insects on the 19th of May. 



The Rhone Valley has long been known as one of the 

 main routes leading to and from the summer and winter 



