on the Birds of Turkey. 61 



several series of specimens which give us a good idea of the 

 ornithology of the Bosphorus and its immediate neighbourhood. 



We have thought it best to include in our list such additional 

 species as were observed in Epirus by Lord Lilford, since they 

 fairly come within the confines of Turkey. 



The chief thing which strikes a naturalist travelling in 

 Turkey, is the immense number and variety of birds of prey 

 which are seen everywhere. Owing to the superior interest 

 which this order always possesses in the eyes of those new to 

 southern Europe, and the short time which we were able to 

 devote to any particular district, our own notes on the smaller 

 birds are very meagre ; and we are indebted to Mr. Robson for 

 filling up many of the blanks which would otherwise have been 

 left. 



A more careful and systematic exploration of the country will 

 doubtless add many species to the list, which at present in- 

 cludes only those birds for whose occurrence we have good 

 authority ; and when we consider the great extent of the 

 country, from the snowy mountains of Bosnia to the almost 

 tropical plains of Macedonia, it is probable that Turkey will 

 prove to possess one of the richest avifaunas in Europe. 



On the 1st of February 1869, we left Athens on horseback, 

 and, as the road was infested by brigands, were obliged to take 

 a guard of gejidarmes as far as Chalcis. For about twenty 

 miles our route lay over the plain of Attica, where we saw but 

 little bird-life, and then entered the mountains, here covered 

 with a species of fir which resembles Pinus ausiriaca, and pro- 

 duces a great deal of turpentine. The next day we crossed a 

 pass in which the snow lay deep, and descended into Boeotia, 

 which is a hilly country covered with evergreens and underwood, 

 and very thinly inhabited. Here we saw great numbers of 

 Eagles, Aquila navia and A. heliaca, and Kites, Milvus ictinus, 

 but very few other birds. Greek Partridges, Caccabis grceca, 

 have become scarce of late years, owing to the number of 

 firearms in the country ; and even in the market at Athens 

 there were very few. The island of Eubosa, where we re- 

 mained several days, possesses some beautiful scenery, and would 

 })robably be found to contain many rare birds ; our time, 



