Ornithology of Cyprus. 5 



Certhia brachydactyla dorothiue Hartert. 

 Loxia guillemardi Madarasz. 

 Scops cyprius Madarasz. 



The eggs of all Wild Birds are pi'otected entirely except 

 those of Bee-eaters, Doves, Pigeons, Jackdaws, Crows, 

 Magpies, Ravens, Hawks, and Sparrows. 



Certain reserviitions of areas of land and forest are 

 allowed to be made, within which no shooting is to be 

 permitted. 



These are the principal provisions of the Law, and I am 

 glad to say that arrangements have been made this year by 

 which the reserved areas will be patrolled and watched by 

 properly appointed verdereis iu the pay of Government. A 

 permit to obtain specimens for scientific purposes may he 

 obtained from the High Commissioner. 



The Law is not perfect, lint it is an advance on any 

 previous Law, and it is to be hoped will work well. 



I should like to add a few words as to those subspecies of 

 birds which have been described from time to time as 

 indigenous to the island. I think there is not much fear of 

 their extinction. I wish 1 could say the same of the Fran- 

 colin. Cinclus olympicus, Parus Cypriotes, Loxia guillemardi, 

 Certhia brachydactyla dorothea, and Garrulas glaszneri are 

 all safe enough in the great Troodos range : no one would 

 waste a charge except on the first and the last, and there is 

 so much rough country on these mountains that their sur- 

 vival is pretty sure. 



Corone pallescens is a nuisance everywhere ; Galerita 

 cristata cypriaca is probably the commonest bird in the island ; 

 Saxicola morio cypriaca is also ubiquitous ; Scops cyprius is 

 abundant; Parus o.phrodite (if it exists) grades into Parus 

 major, which is extremely common. I think the local 

 Chaffinch, Magpie, and perhaps the liavcu will be the next 

 birds which will be honoured with subspecific rank. 



The Cyprus Natural History Society, through some of its 

 members, has really done good work and has much stimu- 

 lated local interest in all branches of Natural History : 



