Mr. A. Chapman — Winter Notes in Spain. 455 



year's plumage, of the small race of Peregrine, F. minor or 

 F. punicus, the upper coverts broadly margined with chest- 

 nut and striated below. The crop contained about a score 

 of "^'lisos'' (I believe, blind worms) — surely a singular prey 

 for a noble Falcon ! We observed Falcons, probably of the 

 same species, on other occasions, and also obtained a Sparrow- 

 Hawk. 



One of the most interesting and characteristic spectacles of 

 a wet winter in the Goto de Doiiana are the Vultures. Almost 

 daily we saw assemblages of these birds gravely holding a 

 sort of inquest on the remains of the numerous cattle and 

 horses that had died of cold or disease, or had been drowned by 

 the inundation o£ the '' marisma.'' As many as thirty or forty 

 tawny Griffons {Gyps fulvus) would be gathered around a 

 carcase, while others sat gorged on the trees or enjoyed a 

 digestive nap on some sand ridge hard by ; but however 

 sleepy they appeared, they were alert enough to detect any 

 attempt to approach them. At a certain spot on the Re- 

 tuerta, where the huge sand-hills almost attain the dimen- 

 sions of mountains, a large flock of Griffons was always 

 posted, apparently to take advantage of the extensive view 

 over tiie plains. On two or three occasions we also met 

 with the Black Vulture [Vultur monachus). This species is 

 of far nobler aspect than the Griffon, showing in life none of 

 the repulsive bare neck of that bird, and has a majestic ap- 

 pearance on the wing. I must admit to mistaking the first 

 pair seen (January 4th) for the largest Imperial Eagles I had 

 ever met with. My host B. had always held that the Imperial 

 Eagles I shot here in 1883 were small specimens, and that 

 there existed in the Goto Eagles of much greater size. I was 

 extremely anxious to secure one of these aquiline monsters, 

 and when one of the above-named pair, after an almost end- 

 less series of aerial gyrations, settled far away od the top of 

 a wild olive-tree, I left the shooting-party and went in 

 pursuit. By means of one of the trained ponies, I even- 

 tually got to within some forty yards, and at that distance 

 a charge of s.s.g. brought the huge bird to the ground ; the 

 great wings, however, never ceased to work, and despite 



