50 Proree<lwt/x, 



company of my cousin, Mr. James Backhouse, author of the 

 * Handbook of European Birds,' to whom I am indebted for 

 the loan of the skins that are on the table. Between us we 

 identified seventy species of birds in Corsica, either hving or 

 in the market. I know not that I have ever been at a place 

 where birds were more abundant. 



First and foremost I must place the Blackbird. Snow- 

 bound Europe must have sent vast flocks of Merles to this isle 

 of the Mediterranean, where they fattened on the Myrtle- 

 berries on every hillside. These flocks of Blackbirds are no 

 mean addition to the food supply of Corsica. Day after day 

 baskets-full might be seen in the markets, mingled with a 

 sprinkling of Thrushes, Missel Thrushes, and Eedwings, with 

 here and there the Blue Eock or Solitary Thrush. On your 

 country rambles you met Ckasxeurs m pursuit of " nibier," 

 alias Blackbirds, with gun or snares. Under such treatment 

 even Blackbirds become very wary birds. 



Amongst Warblers by far the most abundant was the 

 Blackcap. From the olives on any sunny day you might 

 hear his low warble ; not the full song, but a more subdued 

 version of it which we have often heard on their first arrival 

 in this country in the last days of March, or in early April. 

 Another Warbler common around Ajaccio, but unknown to 

 us in England, is the Sardinian. I was not long in catching 

 sight of a little bird with the manners of a Whitethroat, but 

 with slaty back, jet-black crown, white breast, and red eye- 

 brows. This was the cock Sardinian Warbler. The hen is 

 scarcely distinguishable from the Lesser Whitethroat. 



The Stonechat, Robin, and Chiffchaff were common birds. 

 The Chiffchnff was silent ; its plumage was noticeable for the 

 bright yellow at the base of the wings. It was only after 

 careful examination and measurement of the bird that we 

 were sure of the species. 



In the marshes around the head of the gulf Cetti's Warbler 

 was in considerable quantity. It is a shy, retiring bird. We 

 heard its " chit " again and again, but it would seldom show 

 itself, and then only to take a short flight, and dive again into 

 the rushes or undergrowth. 



