OrnUholoyy of Asia Minor. 273 



The stock birds are the Isabelline Chat and Larks (Short- 

 toed, Crested, and Calandra). Jackdaws live about the vil- 

 lages ; and numbers of Sand-Grouse {Pterocles arenar'ius) cut 

 the air with their sharp swift wings. A few of their nests 

 were taken, all containing the usual complement of three eggs. 

 The way was further enlivened by the plundering of a Bus- 

 tard's nest [Otis tarda) and those of certain Eagles, chiefly 

 Aquila imperialis. After passing the wretched village of 

 Aladja, the character of the landscape changes ; the hills are 

 higher, and are covered with a thick growth of oak-scrub. 

 At our halting-place of Baba Eyoub-tekessi there was capital 

 ground for Warblers ; and after a shower the hills resounded 

 with the songs of Nightingales, Barred and Orphean Warblers, 

 and Robin Chats, all performers of the first order. 



From here to the old Mussulman town of Tchorum num- 

 bers of Rollers, Bee-eaters, and Rosy Pastors were met with: 



Tchorum was reached May 15th. Hitherto the weather 

 had been fine and very warm. Frequent showers now fell, 

 which soon increased to tremendous thunderstorms, accom- 

 panied by hailstones and heavy rains. This state of things, 

 which lasted all the way to the coast, made travelling diflScult 

 and roadside collecting impracticable. Between Tchorum and 

 Mersiwan we crossed hills covered with oaks, hazels, Syringa, 

 barberry, roses (pink, yellow, and white), and hawthorn in 

 full bloom. 



The latter town is the ancient Phasemon. It is prettily 

 situated at the base of a range of mountains, and surrounded by 

 large gardens and fine old walnut-trees. Beyond it the mud 

 had made the roads so difficult that our guides diverged from 

 the ordinary path and, by long detours over the hills, brought 

 us to the watering-place of Kausa. Here half a dozen enor- 

 mous khans, crowded with a motley assemblage, were grouped 

 round the baths. These hot springs, which were well known 

 to the ancients, are said to be very effectual in curing many 

 complaints. They are protected by domed buildings, are 

 large in volume, and have a temperature of 125° Fahr. 

 Leaving the hubbub and dirt of Kausa behind us with much 

 pleasure, we rode to the prettily situated khan of Ak Soo 



