450 



PAKT II. 



SPEING-MIGEANTS TO SPAIN. 



WITH DATES OF ARRIVAL, Etc., IN ANDALUCIA. 



In the following list we endeavoiu- to indicate the closest 

 possible point of time for the arrival, nesting, and departure 

 of spring-migrants to Spain, the dates especially referring to 

 Andalucia. But since the passage of almost each species, 

 though in many cases punctual to a day or two in commencing, 

 continues during thi'ee or four weeks — and in some instances 

 over much longer periods — it is only possible to approximate. 

 Thus there is a distinct arrival of Swallows in February (early 

 in March many already have eggs), yet the "through-transit " 

 of vast bodies — destined perhaps to populate Lapland and 

 Siberia — is conspicuous throughout AjJril, and even into May. 



In compiling these lists the recorded observations of other 

 naturalists have been freely utilized, especially the papers of 

 Lord Lilford and Mr. Howard Saunders in the Ibis, and Col. 

 Irby's " Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar." In ornitho- 

 logical matters the writer has a weakness for dates * and the 

 last-mentioned work fairly bristles with these valuable facts. 

 For five springs its author maintained a careful watch on the 

 Straits, and during those years hardly a movement of feathered 

 fowl betwixt the PiUars of Hercules could escape his vigilance. 



* Where exact dates are mentioned in the following table they refer 

 to the earliest or the latest occurrences, respectively, that have come 

 under our notice. 



