176 Lieut. -Col. L. Howard Irby on 



de la Luz. The most interesting animal about Potes is 

 the water-mole {Myogale pyrenaica), which does not appear 

 to be common, and little seems to be known regarding its 

 habits. Lord Lilford obtained one alive from a miller ; but 

 it did not survive long. We saw no rabbits anywhei^e but 

 on the island off Santander ; nor did we see a hare. 



The river Deva and some of the other rivers abound with 

 salmon and trout, but are much poached, and the fish even 

 killed with dynamite, by the miners. About Potes the Deva 

 flows through deep canons, the stream being only here and 

 there approachable. During our stay the snow-water coming 

 down rendered fly-fishing hopeless work. From Potes we 

 returned to Santander, passing through Comillas, a bathing- 

 resort with a large hotel, and Santillana (the birthplace of 

 Gil Bias), our way lying through an uninteresting country. 

 We left Santander for the Gironde on June 21st. 



Lord Lilford returned to Santander in November 1878, 

 and remained there part of December ; but 1 did not accom- 

 pany him. I only wish his more able pen had written these 

 notes ; but various causes and the idea that one or both of us 

 would again visit the country have created this delay in record- 

 ing our sparse observations. 



There is nothing particular calling for notice as to birds, 

 except the remarkable absence of the Nightingale [Daulias 

 luscinia) ; we also failed to observe the Crested Lark [Galerida 

 cristata) and, except on one occasion, Cypselus melba. The 

 specimens noticed as seen in the Museum at Santander Avere 

 said to be local. Of course, during so short a stay in the 

 country, the following list, one hundred and eighty-two 

 birds, lacks many species that obviously must occur. Unless 

 dates are given, the months of May and June are to be 

 understood. 



L ACCIPITRES. 



Gyps fulvus. Griffon Vulture. 



Occasionally seen near Santander. Abundant in the gorge 

 of the Deva ; evidently breeds near La Hermida. 



