in two Andalucian Sierras. 485 



Falco TiNNUNcuLus. Kestrcl. 



Falco naumanni. Lesser Kestrel. 



We agree with Col. Irby that certain identification of the 

 Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel, whose distribution in these 

 parts is much mixed, is only possible in the field at a very 

 short range ; but we felt pretty sure that a single Kestrel, 

 seen at 7000 ft. in the Sierra Nevada on May 1st, was 

 *' tinnunculus," perhaps on passage * : and there were small 

 breeding colonies of undoubted '" naumanni " at the base of 

 San Cristobal up to 3000 ft. ; otherwise the two species were 

 met with only at lower altitudes. 



Aquila cHRYSAi<:Tus. Golden Eagle. 



San Cristobal. — Golden Eagles were frequently seen on 

 the mountain, up to its summit, no doubt often the same 

 individuals ; but the species is evidently still plentiful in the 

 higher Sierra to the exclusion of the only other rock-breeding 

 Eagle of these parts, viz. Bonelli^s Eagle, which we met with 

 only in the foothills and lowlands. 



Of the finding of a Golden Eagle's nest in a pinsapo-hung 

 crag at 4000 ft., how the two eggs were deserted because of 

 a futile attempt in the dusk to reach the eyrie by means of 

 a rope, and how the eggs were eventually retrieved a month 

 later, is described in ' Unexplored Spain. ^ 



Sierra Nevada. — Quite a few were seen about the middle 

 zone ; in one instance a pair of Golden Eagles and a Lam- 

 mergeier were soaring overhead together. 



Gyps fulvus. Griffon Vulture. 



San Cristobal. — The Griffon Vulture appeared to resort 

 for nesting-purposes to the lower, rather than to the upper, 

 regions of the Serrania, breeding colonies of Griffons being 

 numerous from 3000 ft. downwards. Throughout the foot- 

 hills, and even in the lowlands, a good proportion of the 

 well-marked crags were tenanted. 



Although associated, as a result of their feeding-habits, 

 with mankind, one does not generally find these great birds 



* Hobbies were migi-ating through the Goto Doiiana in some numbers 

 during the second and third weeks of May. 



2l2 



