1770 BIRDS OF GIBRALTAR 183 



Charadrius calidris. Winter and summer. 



Hirundo liylerna^ Seen only in winter. 



Scolopax glottis, Common in winter. 



Tetrao coturnici similis, Smaller than the quail, and 



pedihus tridadylis called trail, or terraile. 



Edwards's grey redstart, Frequents the same solitary 



parts as the redstart. 



The Hintndo hyherna (for so I have named it) will prove, 

 I trust, a curiosity ; * for I cannot find it among Brisson's 

 17 species ; nor among the 12 species of the * Syst. Nat.' It 

 has the aspect of an Hirundo riparia, but seems (for I have 

 had no opportunity of comparing it yet with our bank- 

 martin) to be much larger, and to have a redder cast on the 

 throat, breast and belly. Every feather of the tail, except 

 the two midmost and the two outmost, has a remarkable 

 white spot about midway. 



If the quail should prove to be a tridactyl species, and 

 not a variety, it will be curious.f My Bro"^ speaks of them 

 as common; and mentions the name by which sportsmen 

 distinguish them. For my part I think my specimen is in 

 colour much like a common hen-quail. Brisson mentions 

 quails in Madagascar that have no back toe ; but the cocks 

 at least of this sort have a black throat, which mine has 

 not. 



The most curious Insects in my bottles were — 



Scorpio Europceus, Cancer arctus, 



A large Cicade, Several curious Cancri ; not 



Blatta Americana^ ascertained, 



* Subsequently found to be identical with the Hirundo rupestris described 

 by Scopoli (see Letter to John "White of January 25th, 1771). — A. N. 



+ This proves what had been before suspected (Bell, ii. p. 6, note), that 

 John White had met with the " Gibraltar Quail," first described and figured 

 by Latham in 1783 ('General Synopsis of Birds,' ii. p. 790 and title-page) 

 from a specimen in the Leverian Museum, very likely obtained by John 

 White himself. It is the Turnix sylvatica of modern ornithology ; the torillo 

 (little bull), written by him above "terraile," of Spaniards.— A. N. 



