24 On the Guadalquiver. 



and larger until we were astonished to find that these 

 practised performers were flamingoes, which we knew to 

 be accomplished runners and walkers, but had hitherto 

 regarded as clumsy flyers. 



No better way could be devised for observing shy 

 birds than from behind the stalking horse, and many 

 were the hours we spent thus with our field-glasses to our 

 eyes. 



We often approached to within a few yards of avoceta 

 and watched their curious method of feeding. The bills of 

 these birds are flat Hke a piece of whalebone, and are 

 curved upwards. The birds stand in shallow water, and 

 instead of probing the mud as other waders, they sway 

 their heads to and fro, and with their upturned bills scoop 

 from the mud or water the insects and worms upon which 

 they feed. 



Many waders which are common on our English coasts 

 ill autumn were here in thousands. Most of them had, no 

 doubt, wiutered still further south, and were now but 

 breaking the journey to their breeding places — the moors 

 and tundras of the far north. Grey plover, '' with white 

 foreheads and black breasts — their beautiful summer dress 

 — were everywhere in small flocks and in big flocks, from 

 April 27th until we left on May 19th. Wild as the grey 

 plover is in England, we found him wilder here, and, next 

 only to the flamingo, he proved the most diflicult bird to 

 stalk. 



The smaller waders we had no difficulty in approaching, 

 and we often guided our horses right into the midst of a 

 flock before the birds realised that dreaded man was 

 behind the horse. These flocks were composed of many 



* Squaiarola helvetica. 



