i8 



Unexplored Spain 



rural hostelry of iiortliern kinds has no place ; there is instead 

 a venta or posada which may too often be likened to a stable 

 for beasts with an extra stall for their riders. It is a characteristic 

 of pastoral countries everywhere that their rude inhabitants 

 discriminate little between the needs of man and beast. 



But even towns of quite considerable size — when far removed 



from the track — are 

 totally devoid of inns 

 in our sense. Inns 

 are not needed. The 

 few Spanish travel- 

 lers who, greatly dar- 

 ing, venture so far 

 afield, usually be- 

 speak beforehand the 

 hospitality of some 

 local friend or ac- 

 quaintance. 



Incidentally it 

 may be added that 

 a visit to one of 

 these out -of- the - 

 world cities — asleep 

 most of them for the 

 last few centuries — 

 is a pleasing and rest- 



ROCK- THRUSH [Petrocincla saxaUlis) ^^1 changC aUlidst the 



A beautiful spring- migrant to the highest sierras. Colours of Tackct of CXploration. 



male: opal, orange, and black, with a white "mirror" in centre QnC brcatllCS a mcdi- 

 of back. Female, yellow-brown barred with black. 



seval atmosphere and 

 marvels at the revelation, enjoying prehistoric peeps in lost 

 cities replete for the antiquary with historic memorial and long- 

 forgotten lore. No one cares. 



Yet in those bygone days of Spain's world-power these 

 somnolent spots produced the right stuff, — a minority, no doubt, 

 belonged to the type satirised by Cervantes, — but many more 

 strong in mind as in muscle, who w^ent forth, knights-errant, 

 Paladins and Crusaders, to conquer and to shape the course of 

 history. Is the old spirit extinct ? Our own impression is that 

 the material is there all right ready to spring to life like the 



TvpEs OK .Spanish Bird-Life 



