454 Mr. A. H. Evans on Birds 



have taken up their abode in the lower valleys for the 

 summer. 



I was much disappointed not to meet with the Alpine 

 Accentor [Accentor collaris), which undoubtedly is not un- 

 common near the loftier peaks, as, for instance, at the Port 

 of Gavarnie; it is true that deep snow blocked all paths to 

 the heights, but this should naturally have driven the birds 

 to somewhat lower levels. The Dipper of the Pyrenees 

 frequented nearly every stream and was abundant in suitable 

 localities, being found up to the highest points accessible in 

 the month of April ; but either it had not begun to breed or 

 the nests were unusually difficult to find. The Long-tailed 

 Tit of the district [Acredula irbii) was sufficiently common 

 in small flocks, which were to be seen feeding among 

 the branches of the spruce-firs, but were not breeding ; Pants 

 major, P. afer, and P. cam/ens were observed in a few places, 

 but no other species of the genus was met with. j/Egithalus 

 pendulinus was only identified at Argeles-Gazost, where it 

 was not uncommon in the Park. The Nuthatch (Sitta C(esia) 

 was by no means rare where park-like conditions prevailed, 

 while the Wren [Troglodytes parvulus) and the Creeper 

 [Certlt'ia familiaris). though less plentiful than in Britain, 

 occurred in various situations. Two species of Wagtails were 

 breeding in the valleys, Motacilla melanope being particularly 

 abundant up to the very foot of the higher mountains and 

 M. alba somewhat less so at the lower levels. The former 

 in several cases had hard-set eggs. The Meadow-Pipit 

 [Anthus pratensis) was occasionally seen, but no Shrikes or 

 Flycatchers had arrived. On the other hand, Swallows 

 (Hirundo rustica) were in evidence by April 7th, and Martins 

 [Chelidon urlrica) by April 17th; Cotile rupestris, moreover, 

 A\as even thus early occupying its breeding-haunts in the 

 gorges of the Cauterets Valley, though it did not appear to 

 be nesting. The Greenfinch [Ligurinus chloris) was more 

 common than the Goldfinch [Carduelis elegans), but both 

 species were far outnumbered by the Serin [Serinus hortu- 

 tamis), which was one of the most abundant birds at Argeles, 

 where it was always to be seen flitting about the gardens 

 from tree to tree, or flying high in the air for short distances, 



