1918.] Birds of the Bessarabiayi Steppe. 291 



This species attends the Rooks who feed on horse-dung on 

 the steppes, and swoops upon any winged insect put up by 

 the largei' birds. 



Coracias garrulus. Roller. Common in the open country, 

 especially near telegraph-poles. Still frequent in October. 



Upupa epops. Hoopoe. Frequent. 



Carine noctua. Little Owl. Once recorded in a hollow 

 willow-tree. 



Falco tinnunculus. Kestrel. Very common on the open 

 steppe. 



Falco vespertinus. Red-footed Falcon. This species 

 and the Roller are the most characteristic birds of the 

 Bessarabian steppes. 



Buteo buteo. Buzzard. Common. 



Nyroca fuligula. Tufted Duck. Huge flocks on Itolia 

 Lake on September 15. 



Ciconia ciconia. White Stork. Frequent, especially 

 round Reni. 



Vanellus vanellus. Lapwing. Not found breeding, but 

 two flocks flew over from the Dobrudja late in August. 



Hydrochelidon leucopareia. Whiskered Tern. Breeds 

 numerously in the Pruth marshes near Reni. 



Larus melanocephalus. Mediterranean Gull, Not un- 

 common on the Danube and neighbouring lakes. 



Coturnix coturnix. Quail. Abundant, especially on 

 cultivated ground. 



