Ornithology of Asia Minor. 271 



marshy levels at its base, form a splendid picture. Mount 

 Argseus is isolated from the range of the Antitaurus, and is of 

 volcanic origin. Its height is 12,000 to 13,000 feet*, being 

 above the limit of perpetual snow. There are, however, no 

 glaciers, either on the Argseus or in any part of the country. 

 Develii-kara Hissar is a small place overlooked by a ruined 

 castle. It would make a capital collecting-station, being 

 surrounded by large gardens, and close to the lake and the 

 rocky steppe country. 



Beyond the town the track passes at first near the water 

 over a monotonous dead level, which is thickly covered with 

 grass and stubby plants. Red-backed and Lesser Shrikes 

 were common here. Myriads of Calandra and Short-toed 

 Larks sprung up at every step ; and flocks of Orange-legged 

 Hobbies hovered overhead or pitched on the little hillocks 

 which dotted the plain. A few hills have to be crossed before 

 reaching Inje-su (Narrow Water). This town fills up a rift 

 in the volcanic rock, and must in summer be a perfect furnace. 

 In the beginning of May it was more like an oven than any 

 thing else. From Inje-su to Kaisariyeh the way lies over low 

 lava- covered hills, and sometimes by the side of a large 

 marsh. Here Ducks, Pratincoles [Glareola pratincola) , and 

 a species of Tern, probably Sterna nigra, were seen. There 

 were also a few Stork^s nests, in the foundations of which 

 numbers of Spanish Sparrows were building. This marshy 

 lake is principally fed by a number of large springs, which 

 rise round its margin. 



Kaisariyeh, the ancient Csesarea Mazaca, is situated upon 

 the level ground to the north of Mount Argseus. It contains 

 many mosques, very well-built bazaars, and a large battle- 

 mented castle, the inside of which is filled up with houses. 

 Just outside the town are some curious ruins ; and the feet 

 of the hills, a couple of miles off, are covered with gardens 

 containing vines, apricot-, pear-, and apple-trees, and a sweet- 

 smelling shrub, from the red berries of which a tamarind- 

 tasted sherbet is made. They are also well-stocked with 



* The mean of Hamilton's and Tcliihatcheff's measurements is 12,666 

 feet. 



