La Mancha 191 



accident prevented our spending a week or two at Daimiel in 

 May of the present year. 



Ospreys visit the lakes in autumn, preying on the abundant 

 carp and tench ; and wild-boars, some of great size, coming from 

 the bush-clad Sierra de Villarubia on the south, frequent the cane- 

 brakes. Shelducks of either species appear unknown ; but grey 

 geese (as well as flamingoes) make passing calls at intervals, a 

 small dark-coloured goose (possibly the bernicle) is recorded to 

 have been shot on two or three occasions, and wild swans once. 



The little country-town of Daimiel, situate six or eight miles 

 from the lakes, was recently the scene of an extraordinary 

 tragedy. We copy the account from the Madrid newspaper, 

 El Liberal, February 20, 1908 :— 



Telegraphing from Daimiel, it is announced that yesterday a gano- of 

 masked men forced their entrance into the Council-Chamber while the 

 Council were holding a meeting under the presidency of the Mayor. 



The masked men, who numbered six or eight, came fully armed with 

 guns and rifles which they discharged in the very face of the JMayor, who 

 fell dead, riddled with bullets. 



Tlie assembled Councillors, seized with panic, fled. 



The murdered Mayor was a Conservative, and the only member of 

 that party who held a seat in the Corporation. It is believed that the 

 assassination was perpetrated in obedience to political motives. 



