MIGRATION. 13 



Wherever I have wandered about in the coast-districts of 

 Morocco the country is singularly destitute of trees of any size, 

 what few there are being in the santos or graveyards. The 

 consequence of this is, there is no change in the landscape ; 

 stunted bushes, rocks, and cultivation constitute the general view. 

 Nevertheless the climate is splendid and healthy, perhaps better 

 than that of Andalucia ; and one quits it with the regret that 

 such a fine country should in these days of civilization be, as it 

 were, utterly wasted a land rich beyond most in soil, minerals, 

 and natural advantages of all sorts, within four days of England, 

 remaining without any real government, without roads, bridges, 

 or any means of communication, owing to political necessities 

 abandoned to barbarians, whose chief object seems to be to keep 

 the country as much as possible secluded from the prying eyes 

 of Europeans. 



MIGRATION, SHOOTING, &c. 



The migration of birds, although a most interesting subject, 

 is yet very imperfectly understood, and reliable data from 

 different countries and places are still greatly wanted to elucidate 

 it. Without doubt caused by the absence or abundance of 

 food, which in turn is caused by difference of temperature, 

 the passage of birds in these parts begins with most species 

 almost to a day in the spring, usually lasting for about three 

 weeks, though some, as the Hoopoe and the Swallows, are more 

 irregular in their first appearance ; and with these the migration 

 lasts throughout a longer period. 



Few, indeed hardly any birds, do not migrate or shift their 

 ground to some extent. I can name very few which do not 

 appear to move, viz. Griffon Vulture, Imperial Eagle, Eagle- 

 Owl, Blue Thrush, all the Woodpeckers, Tree-Creeper, Black- 

 headed Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Crested Lark, Chough, 

 Haven, Magpie, Red-legged and Barbary Partridges, and the 



