Expedition to the Eastern Canary Islands. 59 



early on the 23i'd of May we left for Haria, a ricle full of 

 interest from start to finish. Leaving the old castle of Santa 

 Barbara on our right, we ascended quickly through land 

 which was all carefully cultivated. Hoopoes^ Brown Linnets 

 (the males with very crimson breasts), Short-toed Larks, 

 Sparrows, and Pipits were all numerous, especially in the 

 neighbourhood of San Sebastian, which lies at 1000 feet. 

 Figs and palms were now left behind, and at 1900 feet a 

 plateau was reached which was shrouded in thick driving 

 mist. Wheat and beans were growing here, and to my 

 surprise the note of the Corn-Bunting was heard and the 

 bird eventually procured. This is a migratory species to 

 the eastern Canary Islands but is resident on the western 

 Islands. Polatzek says that it returns to Fuerteventura 

 and Lanzarote in the spring, and he has taken the eggs in 

 the former island in March and April. I myself received a 

 clutch from Tuineje in Fuerteventura on my return to 

 Gran Canaria. Curiously enough the specimen shot on this 

 high plateau was the only one I saw throughout my journey. 

 Perhaps these birds do not generally arrive in the eastern 

 islands until later in the year. Polatzek does not give a 

 very definite time for their arrival and departure. 



Monte Famara (224<4! feet), the highest peak in Lanzarote, 

 lay immediately to our left, the crest obscured by clouds, 

 A fine view of the north of the island was obtained from 

 the summit of the zigzagging road which led down to Haria, 

 We camped about a mile outside the town on the south side, 

 in the most fertile district imaginable, teeming with bird-life. 

 The change from desolate hills and barren plains to this 

 green, well-watered valley, proved very pleasant, and we 

 decided to spend five days at this camp before moving on to 

 explore the northern islets. Many birds were met with for 

 the first time, and indeed I believe several species are con- 

 fined entirely to this neighbourhood. By glancing at the 

 accompanying map (Plate II.) it will be seen that Haria, a 

 fair-sized but rather "^scattered" town, is situated in a valley 

 which is isolated from the rest of the island, surrounded as 

 it is on all sides by hills, and directly .cut off from the south 



