Philip Gosse—Birds of the Balearic Islands



‘25



in they suffer from fits, cramp, extreme debility, and speedily die ;

a scrap or two occasionally to predaceous birds is not injurious, but

small vertebrates are always preferable, because they are natural

food.



NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF THE

BALEARIC ISLANDS

By Philip Gosse, M.B.O.U.


[Concluded from the January Number, p. 12.)


*Iynx torquilla torquilla. —The Wryneck was not seen in Mallorca.

One obtained at Santa Eulalia, Iviza, on April 14. This was the first

I saw, and proved to be a female. Another was procured in Formentera

on April 18. The birds in question appear to belong to typical race

and not to the Sardinian form (I. t. tschusii). The male has a wing

measurement of 88 mm. and the female a wing of 90 mm.


Cypselus opus. —Swifts were common in the city of Palma at the

beginning of April. Also seen in Formentera.


Upupa epops. —I saw one Hoopoe near Alcudia on April 6. This

was the only one seen in the islands.


*Querquedula querquedula. —A few Garganey frequented the stream

at Santa Eulalia and one was shot by Mr. Willford.


Botaurus stellaris stellaris. —A Common Bittern, a female, was

obtained by Mr. Willford at the mouth of the Creek at Santa Eulalia,

Iviza, on April 15.


* CEdicnemus cedicnemus oedicnemus. —Two Stone Curlews were seen

in Formentera and one procured. Not observed in the other islands.


Totanus totanus. —A Common Redshank was seen but not obtained

in the salt marshes in Formentera on April 19.


*Totanus hypoleucus. —A few Common Sandpipers were seen at

Alcudia, and on the stream at Santa Eidalia, and in the salt marshes

in Formentera.


*Helodromus ochrupus. —Green Sandpipers were seen along the

seashore at Alcudia and Santa Eulalia.


*CEijialitis alexandrina alexandrina. —The Kentish Plover was

common in the marshes and along the seashore.



