Birds. 9187 
confuse for ever one’s notions of geographical Botany,* and rivalling 
the odd jumble of the classic “Groves of Blarney.” We passed over 
a comparatively low range of hills to the north-west of the town, when 
a wonderfully bold headland, Cabo do Girao, upwards of two thousand 
feet in height, appeared on our left; then a deep ravine, the channel 
of thg Ribeiro dos Socorridos, spanned by a viaduct of almost Roman 
proportions. About the streams of water, whether natural or artificial, 
were numerous gray wagtails (MJotacilla sulphurea), a species I had 
long known, on Mr. Hewitson’s authority, to be found in the island. 
Flocks of linnets (Zinota cannabina), the cock birds with their breasts 
still crimsoned, rose twittering cheerfully from the furze-bushes and 
cacius-thickets by the road-side. In the air were poised dark-plumaged 
kestrels (Tinnunculus alaudarius, var. rufescens, Sw.), occasionally 
dropping down, I presume in quest of the lively little lizards (Lacerta 
Dugesi), of which plenty showed themselves on the dry stone walls. 
As we gradually reached a higher level, we were favoured by a repeti- 
tion of yesterday’s rain. At length, passing by the Jardim da Serra, 
and through a wood of Spanish chestnuts, which no doubt would have 
been picturesque had we been able to see it, we emerged at the foot of 
a steep slope overgrown with coarse grass. Here we got off our 
horses, and were each set upon by a couple of natives, who seemed to 
think it impossible for an Englishman to reach the top without 
hoisting him up. Partially availing ourselves of their assistance, we 
arrived there after a little trouble (for the grass was wet and slippery), 
and found ourselves on the brink of a tremendous crater-like gorge, 
occupied by a bright rainbow, far, far, below us. A magnificent sight 
it must be in fine weather; but the clouds filled the valley beneath, so 
that its bottom was hardly discernible, and clung obstinately to the 
mountains above, only for a few moments breaking to reveal Pico 
Grande, the highest point of the island. Being by this time wet 
through, we thought it advisable to retrace our steps. Riding down 
hills is generally worse than riding up them. Here it was awful work, 
but we at last accomplished it without mishap. We returned by a 
different route, crossing the valley before mentioned much lower down, 
over a fine bridge and a half-finished causeway leading to a level new 
road—a gratifying change after the ups and downs we had encountered. 
I went to visit a gentleman (Dr. O’Herlehy) who, I had been kindly 
informed by Mr. Johnson, was a great bird-fancier, and in whose house 
* It will, of course, be understood that nearly all the prevailing plants are 
introduced species. 
