of the Delta of the Rhone. 193 



11th of May, was the only bird of this species that came 

 under our notice. 



LiNOTA CANNABiNA (Linn,)- 



The Linnet was very common in the Camargue, occurring 

 iti cover among the sandhills fringing the Mediterranean, as 

 well as in the vicinity of the cultivated districts. It was 

 also common around Aries. The coloration of many of the 

 males was exceptionally brilliant. 



Emberiza miliaria, Linn. 



Not uncommon in any district of the Delta where there 

 were low trees. The Common Bunting was also abundant 

 in the grass-lands reclaimed from the Crau, and around 

 Aries. 



Emberiza sch(eniclus, Linn. 



Though generally stated to be somewhat rare as a breeding 

 species in the Mediterranean region, the Reed-Bunting was 

 found to be quite common in the Marais du Couvin, in the 

 south-west of the Camargue ; and also in the Marais de 

 Meyranne, on the east bank of the Grand Rhone. 



Alauda cristata, Linn. 



The Crested Lark proved to be a local species and far from 

 common. It was observed in only a few instances on 

 cultivated land in the north of the Camargue. 



Alauda arvensis, Linn. 



In the Delta of the Rhone the Sky-Lark attracts attention 

 by its song in the arid and almost birdless wastes, where it 

 shares with the Kentish Plover, and sometimes a Short- 

 toed Lark and a Stone-Curlew, the representation of the 

 feathered world over vast areas of barren country. We 

 had many opportunities of inspecting this bird at close 

 quarters, but it was not at all evident that the Sky-Larks of 

 the Camargue were paler in colour than those at home ; 

 though a lighter form known as Alauda cantarella is said to 

 take the place of the typical Alauda arvensis in the Medi- 

 terranean region. Many nests were found containing eggs, 

 which in form, size, and coloration resembled those of the 

 typical race. 



