310 CHAPTER XLIII. 



impossible to do justice to it in a short notice ; besides I cannot claim to 

 be an ornithologist ; and except in my garden and woods, where no gun 

 is permitted, the birds are persecuted in so merciless a manner as to 

 render them difficult to approach for purposes of identification and 

 study. 



Birds of prey are seldom seen at La Mortola, an occasional kestrel or 

 sparrowhawk at most. The eagle owl (Strix bubo) is found in the near 

 mountains ; it and other species of Owls would be of the greatest service 

 in relieving the country of the excessive abundance of rats and mice ; but 

 I have failed in my efforts to induce the peasants not to destroy these 

 useful birds. 



The Corvidse in this part of the coast are represented by the raven ; 

 the crow, rook, and jackdaw being unknown. Once only have I seen a 

 flock of choughs (Carvui graculus), and they being fired at soon dis- 

 appeared. 



The Hoopoe is common in the month of March, on its way from Africa 

 northwards, and the same may be said of the quail in the month of May, 

 when they arrive in a very exhausted state. 



The splendid-plumaged bee-eater (Merops aputster) is a rare bird of 

 passage. I have only seen it once, when a flock of ten visited my garden 

 in the early morning. The night jar, or goatsucker, I have noticed on a 

 single occasion, as also that remarkably gorgeous bird, the golden oriole. 

 The dipper (Cinelus aqiiaticus) is common on the banks of the upper part 

 of the river Koya ; herons, bitterns, and kingfishers are occasional visitors 

 to this swift-flowing stream, and come even, in mistaken quest of food, to 

 the dry slope that forms my garden. 



The blackbird, the robin, and chaffinch are Winter visitors only, 

 retreating to cooler and moister spots in the mountains when the breeding 

 season arrives ; not so the blue thrush of the Mediterranean, which 

 remains the whole year, and, though a very shy bird, evinces an extra- 

 ordinary liking for buildings, frequenting ruins or roosting in an out- 

 house if not disturbed. 



The blackcap is the commonest bird in my garden, and the one I 

 most appreciate, for its lively habit and sweet song; unmolested it 

 becomes almost fearless, and it is charming to see it in the month of 

 February, when, perched on the flower stem of the Aloe, it sips the 

 nectar flowing from the lovely blossoms. 



Nightingales arrive in April, and nest in large numbers in my garden, 

 singing day and night during the breeding season : they exhibit extra- 

 ordinary tameness and confidence, resuming their song almost at once if 

 purposely interrupted by clapping of hands or other noise. The parent 

 birds and their offspring leave for the north when the Summer heat 

 begins. 



