tgil.j Birds in South Biissia. -Abl 



companies of from four to ten hirds and, more commonly, in 

 pairs. 



Podiceps ruficollis ruficollis. Little Grebe. 

 One or two Little Grebes were seen feeding close in shore 

 during February. 



Scolopax rusticola. Woodcock. 



The Woodcock was not uncommon on the snow-covered 

 hillsides, especially during the nor'easter, when they had 

 probably crossed to the lee side of the mountains for shelter. 



• 



Lams ridibundus. Black-headed Gull. 



Numerous about the shores of the bay. 



Larus argentatus cachinnans. Herring-Gull. 

 Common. Eighty were counted wheeling over the 

 harbour on 5 February. 



Tetraogallus caucasicus. Caucasian Snow-Partridge. 



My brother saw a bird on 4.ii. 20 which was probably of 

 this species. The white marking of the wings was distinctly 

 seen. This record would seem to indicate that the Snow- 

 Partridge occurs at rather low altitudes (300 ft.) during 

 extremely cold and stormy weather. 



II. The C'Rimka. 



The (Crimea offers a wide field of enterprise to the field 

 naturalist, comprising as it does such a varied terrain, and 

 having such an interesting geological history. Along the 

 southern coast-line extends a range of mountains, for the 

 most part wild and rocky and well-wooded, although of late 

 years the Tartars have felled trees to such an extent that the 

 climate is said to have been affected. On the seaward 

 slopes there is a profusion of blossoming trees, and, during a 

 short walking tour in April, I observed many of our garden 

 flowers, such as peonies and narcissi, growing wild. North 

 of these mountains lie the steppes, stretching away like the 



