1921.] Birds of Macedonia. 213 



nip before swallowing them. I saw one bird catch an insect 

 which was far too large for it to treat with its accustomed 

 neatness. The Flycatcher battered it against a twig with a 

 great show o£ fury, flattering from bush to bush with its 

 burden, and was still working at the insect in terrier-fashion 

 when it passed out of sight. 



Muscicapa hypoleuca. Pied Flycatcher. 

 Karamatli in April (first date 12 April). 



Hirundo rustica. Swallow. 



The most common of the Hirundines. First dates 9 and 

 21 March (1017), 27 March (1918). Mating, 7 April ; nest- 

 building, 1 April. Eggs well incubated, 21 May. Breeds 

 in most of the villages on the plain — if not all. 



Delichon urbica. Martin. 



Seen 1 April, but not in any nuudjers until the end of the 

 season (19 September). Some passing flocks, 21 August. 



Riparia riparia. Sand-Mariin. 



Abundant along the Struma. Crowds at Kopriva Bridge 

 in May. 



Picus viridis. Green Woodpecker. 



Struma plain in January. Karamatli in September. 



Dryobates major. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 



Seen at all seasons of the year. Paprat was a good locality 

 for them. Some would be met with on the open hills, 

 nudving their way across country from one copse to another, 

 the loud ^^ j>ic-pic-j)ic"' announcing when they settled. They 

 were particularly attracted by the leafless fig-trees in winter. 

 A pair seen at Aracli in April may have been nesting. I 

 have no record of J), medius, although it is stated to be the 

 common Woodpecker of Macedonia. 



Cuculus canorus. Cuckoo. 



Seen G April, and numerous through the spring of 1918. 

 Very few seen in 1917, but from all accounts 1916 was a 

 good year for Cuckoos. 



