Ornithology of Cyprus. 581 



Christian arul Moslem, are very keen sportsmen, and, I think, 

 observe the Game Law as well as the English do; but the 

 peasants, amongst whom to carry a gun is not only regarded 

 as a sign of importance, but also as a surety for the safety of 

 themselves and their flocks, are often picturesque poachers, 

 and will at any time shoot anything worth a charge of 

 powder and shot. 



The law, both with regard to the preservation of Game 

 and Wild Birds, is probably adequate, but its enforcement 

 is not easy in a place like Cyprus, where there is no such 

 thing as " game preserving," and where any one can and docs 

 shoot practically wherever he pleases. However, there are a 

 few forest plantations in which no shooting is allowed, and 

 the new law of this year contemplates the establishment of 

 large "reserves." 



Of the distribution of birds in and their migratory move- 

 ments to and from an island geographicallly situated as is 

 Cyprus, it is difficult to express opinions which may not 

 subsequently be rudely upset, but the following remarks arc 

 put forward in the belief that they are substantially correct. 

 About two hundred and sixty species have been recorded 

 from the island, in the main on very good authority. The 

 list is one which a competent ornithologist would probably 

 be able largely to compile by looking at a map. As time 

 goes on and with closer observation perhaps the number will 

 still be considerably augmented. Of real residents there are 

 very few, and in all they barely exceed forty species, of which 

 a Dipper, a Jay, a Coal Tit, a Wren, a Tree-creeper, a Scops 

 Owl, a Chat, a Great Tit, and a Hooded Crow have all 

 been accorded, on, at any rate in some cases, tolerably good 

 grounds, subspeeifie rank. Of these nine local forms it is 

 interesting to observe that the first five are entirely confined 

 to the higher parts of the southern mountain-range. 



Other typical real residents are the Common Francolin, 

 the Chukar Partridge, the Haven, Jackdaw, Magpie, and 

 Little Owl. 



About thirty species are typical summer visitors, arriving 

 in the island in spring, nesting and leaving for warmer 



