4 1 o Unexplored Spain 



PdciiARi) {Fulii/iiht ffrina). — Though we have not found it ourselves, one of 

 our fowlers (Macluichado) tells us that pochards breed on the lakes, and even 

 more in Las Nuevas, laying but few eggs — five to seven. 



Kkd-ckkstkd Pochard {FuUgula rujUa). — This is the characteristic 

 breeding-duck at Daimiel in La Manchu, as well as on the Albufera of 

 Valencia, at both of which points it abounds. Yet curiously it is all but 

 unknown on the B;i?tican niarismas. Among the thousands of ducks Ave have 

 shot therein, but a single example of the red-crested pochard figures — a female 

 killed January 19, 19U3. 



Tufted Duck (FuUgula cristata). — None remain, though abundant in 

 winter. 



White-faced Duck (Erwmafura hniroccpliala). — This species, known as 

 JJamboU'ta or Mahasia, arrives in spring and breeds commonly on every deep 

 pool and reed-girt lagoon in Andalucia. 



Shelducks {Tadorna cormifa), we are assured (though this we have not 

 proved), breed in the marisma in hollows (Jioyos) — such as the cavernous foot- 

 prints made by cattle in the soft mud in winter. Common in dry winters. 



Ruddy SHEiiDUCK {Tadorna casarca). — These are seen here all summer, yet 

 we have failed to discover their breeding-places. They are common, old and 

 young, on the Laguna de Medina in August and September. This is a striking 

 species of stately flight and clear-toned ringing cry — HdCi-uu — thrice repeated. 



WAGTAILS 



Pied Wagtail {Motacilla lugubris). — This familiar British species occurs 

 rarely in S. Spain — we have but four records, all in winter. In the reverse, 

 the WHITE wagtail (M. alba) abounds — ploughed lands sometimes look grej/ 

 with it ; and it is here, in winter, as tame and familiar as one sees it in Norway 

 and Iceland in summer. Yet midway between the two, i.e. in the British 

 Isles, Ave have seen it but thrice ! There it may indeed be termed a " rare 

 bird." The explanation seems to be that (like the tA\'o southern Avheatears) 

 these two Avagtails are not specifically distinct, but merely a dimorphic form. 

 This year (June 1910) we found the AAdiite Avagtail breeding commonly in 

 North Estremadura. 



Dnring a northerly hurricane on February 7, 1903, we observed an 

 assemblage of many hundreds of Avhite Avagtails on the barren sand-dunes of 

 Majada lieal — a second' crowd, as numerous, a mile aAA^ay. Both Avere 

 migrating bands arrested by the gale. This is merely one example out of 

 scores that have come under our notice of the magical apparition of birds from 

 the clouds, caused by a sudden change of Avind. Specially notable, besides 

 Avagtails, are SAvallows, wheatears, pipits and larks. 



The Grey Wagtail (M. melanope), though occasionally seen in Avinter, is 

 most conspicuous about mid-February, Avhen it passes several days on our laAvn 

 at Jerez. It has not then acquired the black throat of spring ; but tAvo months 

 later Ave have found it nesting on mountain! )urns of the sierras — precisely such 

 situations as it frequents among the Northumbrian moors. 



The Yellow Wagtail {M. flava ; the Continental form, cinereocapilla) 

 appears on the lawn a week or so after the grey species has disappeared ; 

 but this remains throughout the spring, nesting in Avet meadoAvs and marshes, 

 laying during the last VA^eek of April. 



