474 Captain H. Jjfne^^^^Bird-twtes 



TCRDUS PHILOMELUS. Song-TllVUsll. 



Tardus musicus auct. 



The Sono-Tlirush was not observed in either Sierra. The 

 last note of the species heard in Andahicia was on April 19th, 

 bnt this was in the lowlands "foothills/^ 



TuRDus TORQUATUs. Riiig-Onzcl, 



San Ci'istobal. — A female Ring-Ouzel was seen at 4000 ft. 

 on March 24th, and a male flew by " clucking " not far from 

 the same place, but 800 ft. higher, on April 23rd. Breeding 

 seemed doubtful, although the latter date suggests it. 



Sierra Nevada. — On May 1st and 2nd a very wild bird was 

 seen among dwarf juniper recently emerged from the snow 

 at 8000 ft. Here again the lateness of the date suggests 

 breeding, but we have no direct evidence of it. 



[If these Avere breeding birds they would belong to the 

 Alpine race, Tardus torquatus a/pestris (Brehm). — H.F. JV.'\ 



TuRDUS MERULA. Blackbird. 



San Cristobal. — Blackbirds were quite plentiful up to the 

 top of the pinsapo forest. Unfortunately no specimens 

 were obtained, but our impression was that the hen birds 

 of the upper regions lacked the very conspicuous russet 

 hue of those in the " foothills " and " lowlands/' and may 

 perhaps be found to belong to a different race. Here is a 

 interesting point for further investigation. 



Sierra Xevada. — Not observed above Granada and the 

 Yega : but the species may have been overlooked in the 

 middle zone, where the bush and pine-tree country seemed 

 very suitable. 



[The Spanish Blackbird has been described as Tardus 

 merula hispania by Kleinschmidt (' Falco,' 1909, p. 22), being 

 separated on account of its shorter wing and longer tail, but 

 hardly enough material seems to have been examined. Two 

 specimens collected by Mr. "W. C. Tait in Portugal in 

 ]May 1911, and kindly given by him to me, are short in 

 the wings but the tails are not long. Tiiey measure : — 

 (^ . Oporto: wing 123 mm., tail 103 ram. : ? . Caldas de 

 Gerez : wing 120 mm., tail 97 mm. The female is not so 



