190 Mr. W. Eagle Chrke— Ornithology 



in the south-west ; where young able to fly were seen on the 

 21st of May. It was also an abundant bird in the Marais 

 de Meyranne, a few miles south of Aries. 



Jaubert and Barthelemy-Lapommeraye {' Richesses orni- 

 thologiques du midi de la France •") state that this species is 

 very rare in Provence, seen at long intervals, generally in 

 the Camargue or on the borders of the Rhone. 



Parus major, Linn. 



The Great Titmouse was common in the northern districts 

 of the Delta and in the country around Aries. 



-^Egithalus pendulinus (Linn.). 



Jaubert and Barthelemy-Lapommeraye describe this 

 species as being sedentary but rare in Provence. It was, 

 however, found to be fairly abundant on the wooded banks 

 of the dykes between the east bank of the Grand Rhone 

 and Marais de Meyranne. Here we observed a nest suspended 

 from the slender twigs of an elm tree, and which only 

 required the dome to be woven in to render the structure 

 perfect. On visiting this nest ten days later, the birds were 

 found to be still busily engaged in building-operations, and 

 the nest proved on examination to be not yet quite perfect. 

 Thus it seems probable that no less a period than four or 

 five weeks is required for the construction of this most 

 beautiful among the nests of European birds. On both 

 occasions we watched the birds for some time, and they were 

 evidently very industrious, going and coming frequently with 

 their bills filled with silky down of the willow catkin. 

 Young birds able to fly well were observed at the end of 

 May. 



Certhia familiaris. 



The Creeper only once came under notice, being observed 

 among some trees near to the east bank of the Grand Rhone 

 on the 23rd of May. 



MoTACiLLA ALBA, Linn. 



Several White Wagtails were seen on the Rhone side 

 above Aries on the 11th of May. 



