96 Dr. F. H. H. GmllemsiYd— Ornithological 



Larnaka^ however, is another affair altogether. Coasting 

 round the island from Limassol one gets gradually prepared 

 to expect little in the way of scenery. The land lessens in 

 height, and is sparsely dotted with caroub-trees, which leave 

 the glaring white gypseous soil far too much in evidence to 

 be pleasant to the eye. Before reaching the port even the 

 caroubs disappear. A long, low, and perfectly barren pro- 

 montory, Cape Kiti, is rounded, and then the steamer drops 

 anchor, leaving the naturalist to wonder whether he had not 

 better contin^ie his journey in her and leave Cyprus alone. 

 He would make a great mistake if he were to do so ; for the 

 island, though not the most beautiful, is probably the most 

 interesting in the Mediterranean Sea. Archseologically 

 speaking, it certainly is so; but with archaeology we have 

 here nothing to do. 



I landed at Larnaka on the 22nd of February. It was 

 not long before I was experiencing the hospitality which ihe 

 English in Cyprus apparently make it a point of honour to 

 dispense to strangers. In many years of wandering I do not 

 think I ever met with a more kindly welcome than that 

 afforded me throughout the island, and I can only wish that 

 ' The Ibis ' had a larger circulation in Cyprus, in order that I 

 might testify my appreciation of the kindness of my many 

 hosts. 



In the bazaar there were no birds of any special interest, 

 though dozens of Goldfinches, many Caccabis chuhar, and a 

 few Calandra Larks hung up in cages for sale. The Red- 

 legs get very tame and are often let out for an airing in 

 front of their master^s shop, where they take as little notice of 

 the crowded traffic of the bazaar as a Seven Dials' fowl does of 

 his surroundings. ]SIy host, too, had an aviary, or the rudi- 

 ments of one. A Magpie, his cliaracter apparently none the 

 better for his nationality, hopped warily about the garden, 

 and had as companions a Francolin and two Strix flammea. 

 The latter had been caught in Larnaka; but the species 

 cannot be vei'y common, as I never saw and only once 

 doubtfully heard it during nay stay in Cyprus. The Little 

 Owl, Athene noctiui, is abundant in the town, as it is, indeed, 



