Oil the Guadal quiver. 



undergrowth of tamarisk, gorse, cistus, and other shrubs, 

 but by far the greater portion consists of mud and marsh, 

 flooded by the river in winter and burnt up by the sun in 

 summer. The human population of these plains consists 

 only of a few herdsmen — wild, picturesque-looking men, 

 armed with long sticks, and wearing rough sheepskin coats 

 and long apron-like leather gaiters. These men live 

 during the summer in rude huts built of reeds, and they, 

 with the help of their dogs, watch over great droves of 

 horses, bulls and sheep. 



An ornithologist visiting this country recognises at once 

 that it is an ideal place for many kinds of birds. Food 

 and nesting sites are plentiful and varied, and the country 

 is very little disturbed. Moreover, this corner of Europe 

 lies in the track of a vast number of birds of many kinds, 

 migrating from Africa to the north of Europe in spring, and 

 fcom the north to their winter quarters in Africa in the 

 autumn. Many of these migrants are induced, by prospects 

 of food and seclusion, to break their journey for a few days 

 in this congenial wilderness. 



Towards the end of March, 1898, my friend, G. Chenevix 

 Trench, and myself left England to follow in the footsteps 

 of such noted ornithologists as the late Lord Lilford, 

 Messrs. Abel Chapman, H. E. Dresser, and Howard 

 Saunders, who have all explored this wonderful country. 

 Our principal object was to collect Limicolce, or wading 

 birds, for a special purpose. We also hoped to get many 

 other birds, and we knew that we should see many sights 

 in the way of bird-life, which possibly might have been 

 seen many years ago in England, but will never be seen 

 again, owing to the great marshes of the East Coast 

 having been drained and cultivated. 



Once arrived in Spain, delays innumerable and unlocked 



