488 Bird-notes in two Andalucian Sierras. 



a precipitous ridge, one of these splendid birds sailed slowly 

 by within fifteen yards of us, working along the cliff-face in 

 a " sneakiug," unobtrusive manner, as if anxious to avoid 

 observation and perhaps also to take advantage o£ the air- 

 current up the cliff-face. Every detail of its plumage was, 

 of course, plainly visible, and it is of note that in the broad- 

 side view (so extremely difficult to depict) the tips of 

 the long primai'ies, despite their stiffness, the narrowness 

 and lack of eraargination of the web of these feathers when 

 compared with those of a Griffon or an Eagle, shewed very 

 considerable separation and up-curl. That these features 

 are actually less, as woiild be supposed from a glance at the 

 respective primary feathers themselves, than in the Vultures 

 and Eagles, became apparent very soon after the bird had 

 passed, the receding aspect being that of a long, compara- 

 tively slender, and flat-winged bird. An occasional 45° 

 stroke of the pinions from the wrist — the forearm scarcely 

 seemed to move, and it was lost to view round an angle of 

 the cliff half-a-mile away. 



Sier?'a Nevada. — We frequently saw the species in the 

 distance, but only once at close quarters. From these 

 observations it seemed that 4000 to 5000 ft. was probably 

 the breeding zone ; in any case, the early season at which 

 the Lammergeier starts nesting Avould seem to preclude 

 higher elevations by reason of the snow. 7000 ft. was the 

 greatest altitude at which we saw the species, but this was 

 evidently a ti'avelling individual. They doubtless have to 

 wander extensively in search of food. 



Of other " Accipitres," none of which were seen at high 

 elevations, the following gives the result of our observations 

 as to breeding zones in these districts : — 



At or near sea-level ... Marsh and Montagues Harriers, 



Booted Eagle, Spanish Imperial 

 Eagle, Serpent-Eagle, Black and 

 Red Kite. 

 From sea-level up to -^ 



about 2000 ft. in the i^'^"'^^'^' ^^o^^elli's Eagle, and 

 Scrrania de Ronda. 3 r^'o^^Wy Sparrow-Hawk. 



