of the Delta of the Rhone. 479 



*ClCONIA ALBA, 



On the 23rd of September we found, near the margin of 

 the Etang- ConsecanierCj tlie remains of a White Stork in 

 a fair state of preservation. Jaubert and Barthelemy- 

 Lapommeraye state (p. 354) that this bird is always rare in 

 Provence. 



Ph(enicopterus roseus. 



During this second visit to the Camargue we obtained 

 some additional information of interest regarding the 

 Flamingo. This has led us to modify our estimate regarding 

 the number of these birds summering in the Delta. 



On the 19th of September we visited, for the first time, 

 the series of lagoons at Giraud, and which lie in the south- 

 east of the Delta. Here we found a colony of some 500 or 

 600 Flamingoes, and doubtless many more wei'e in other 

 suitable localities there which we were unable to reach. We 

 had not expected to find a herd of these birds at Giraud, since 

 there is an extensive " salt-pan," and hence a considerable 

 population — a disturbing element to bird-life. It was the 

 discovery of this herd that led us to modify our estimate of 

 the Flamingo population of the Camargue, and we now regard 

 it as ranging from 1000 to 1500 individuals. 



It is much to be feared that the great increase in the 

 population in the Giraud district, already alluded to, will 

 entirely pi-event these birds from incubating. The peasants, 

 French and Italian, employed at the salt-pan are extremely 

 poor, as is evidenced by the mean reed- huts in which they 

 dwell with their families ; and there can be no doubt that 

 the eggs are much sought after and consumed largely for 

 domestic purposes. 



On the 20th of September we visited the east shore 

 of the Etang Valcares. Here we found these birds very 

 numerous, some 600 or 700 of them being in view. They 

 were feeding in thin lines, which extended, with few breaks^ 

 for several miles. On this same shore, and about 50 yards 

 from the edge of the water, then much shrunk owing to a 

 prolonged spell of drought, were nearly 100 nests, still so fresh 



