II.—ACROSS THE PLAINS. 
CHAP TER I. 
A RIDE ACROSS THE VEG4. 
The plains or vegas—The rivers in winter and summer—The wealth of flowers— 
Spring-time on the vega—Herds of mares and cattle—The herdsmen—A 
“bad cow ’—‘ Lagartijo’’—Bulls—A toro bravo—A chase and an escape 
—Storks and Cranes—Little Ringed Plovers—Pratincoles-—Stone Curlews— 
The Larks, Calandra, Crested and Short-toed—Fantail Warblers— Buff- 
backed Egrets—Ocellated Lizards and Grass Snakes—Hatred of retriever 
for these reptiles. 
HE great alluvial plains of southern 
Spain are tenanted by many species 
of birds which are either resident 
throughout the year or migrate 
thither to nest. Certain lower por- 
tions of the plains are annually sub- 
merged during the winter months 
and then become the resort of 
thousands of wild geese and duck 
of many descriptions driven south by 
the stress of climate. As _ spring 
approaches, the wild-fowl start on 
their return journey northward and 
as the flood waters subside the 
Bustards and other normal occupants 
of the plains who have been temporarily driven to seek drier ground 
on the low undulating hills around, return to their accustomed 
haunts. 
