26 Canon 11. B. Tristram — Ornithological 



cultnrc, oranges, almonds, and peaches ripening together, 

 and forming the hedges of gardens or plots of peas and other 

 vegetables. Again I got one glimpse of a Falcon. The 

 Buzzard was several times noticed, and the Kestrel was 

 ubiquitous. The Blackcap [Sylvia atricapilla) here began to 

 be very abundant, especially in the fruit trees, and I suppose 

 had only just returned. " Capirote," as he is here called, 

 made the narrow Barrancos resound with his music, while iu 

 the little open patches of maize or vineyards the Robin and 

 the Blackbird caught up the refrain. We passed on through 

 the villages, or rather little towns, of Santa Lucia and Tiri- 

 jana, perched on the mountain-side, with gushing streamlets 

 bursting on the path-side through the rocks, and carefully 

 utilized for the gardens, while our path was overhung with 

 almond-trees laden with fruit, mingled with oranges, which 

 were only just ripe, for we are here 3000 feet above the sea. 

 We reached the little town of San Bartolomeo at nightfall, 

 3200 feet above the sea, and (for inns are unknown) called 

 on the Alcalde, and were advised where we might find 

 lodgings. Here we made our headquarters for three days. 

 Our host, a small farmer, was a keen sportsman, and had a 

 well-trained Spanish pointer. He was delighted to accom- 

 pany me, and was ready to promise every bird after which I 

 made enquiry, especially '' Palomo Turquese.^' Our first 

 day's work was not encouraging. My guide insisted on 

 working the lower slopes of the mountain just on the edge 

 of the line of cultivation. Hoopoes, Blackbirds, and Black- 

 caps were plentiful. The Tintillon was conspicuous by its 

 absence. There were a few Quails ; but I soon found that 

 Don Lorenzo's one idea was to secure French Partridges 

 when his dog pointed them, by potting them before they 

 began to run; and with perdiche in view, he could not 

 understand my looking after " Pajari " or dickybirds. I may 

 here mention that the Quail, which is very numerous (though 

 I doubt whether even Mr. Godmau himself could equal his 

 feat in the Western Azores and shoot seventy couple in a 

 day), is declared by the natives to receive large additions to 

 its numbers in spring. I am inclined to doul)t this, but to 



