226 KELIQULE AQUITANKLE. 



xxm. 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS WHOSE BONES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE CAVES OF 

 THE SOUTH-WEST OF FRANCE. By M. ALPHONSE MILNE-EDWABDS, 1I.D. &c. &c., Jardin des 

 Plantes, Paris. 



THE number of the species of Birds the remains of which have been found in the 

 Caves of the South-west of France is very considerable, especially when compared 

 with that of the Mammalia from the same beds. Many of these birds have been 

 brought thither by Man to serve for his sustenance ; other species probably inha- 

 bited those caves, or sought shelter there during the day; others may have 

 been carried there by currents of water ; but these last are certainly few. 



In order to account satisfactorily for the character presented by the ornithic 

 fauna of the Caves of the Aquitanian region, it is necessary not only to draw up 

 the list of the species which have been discovered there, but also to indicate the 

 relative abundance of the bones of each ; for one bird may be represented only 

 by a single piece of the skeleton, while others will have left hundreds of remains. 

 This study may supply valuable information : it shows us that certain species were 

 evidently sought for by the inhabitants of the Caves ; for their bones abound, and 

 the delicacy of their flesh well justifies the pursuit to which they were exposed. 



It is equally useful to examine particularly the fauna of each of the Stations 

 where excavations have been made ; for some of them present a special character. 

 I shall therefore, first, point out, in zoological order, which are the Birds whose 

 presence I have been able to recognize in the Caves of Ancient Aquitania ; and 

 then, passing in review successively each of the Stations explored, I shall specify 

 what species have been found there. 



ACCIPITKES DIURNI. 



1. THE TAWNY EAGLE. Falcofu Ivus, Linn.; Aquilaftilua,Savigny. L' Aigle fauve. 



This species is everywhere rare in the Caves. That of La Madelaine (Dor- 

 dogne), explored in 1863 by MM. Lartet and Christy, has furnished us with 

 the remains of only one individual; these consist of two femora, one ulna, a 

 metacarpal, and several ungual phalanges. All these bones are more or less 

 broken ; and the ulna bears traces of the teeth of small Carnivores. The osseous 



