Expediiiun to the Eastern Canary Islands. 89 



A heavy surf I'uiis in here, and as no boat could ground 

 with safety oti the beach^ we were carried ashore on the 

 shoulders of the Spanish lightermen, getting uncomfortably 

 wet during the process ! 



The Valley of Gran Tarajal, which we set out to explore, 

 is thickly lined with tamaiisks, as its name implies. No 

 vegetation was growing on the sides of this barranco^ which 

 were rugged and barren, and from the crevices many Rock- 

 Doves dashed out as we passed. 



In the tamarisks a number of birds were noted, the most 

 interesting to me being Sylvia c. bella ; this was only the 

 second time we had met with the Spectacled Warbler in 

 Fuerteventura. Shrikes, Hoopoes, Trumpeter Bullfinches, 

 Pipits, and Chats, were all noticed in turn, the latter being 

 found even on the beach. As we continued up the valley a 

 pair of Egyptian Vultures flew leisurely overhead, keeping 

 as usual Avell out of gunshot. I was much interested to see 

 a black Falcon flying along the edge of the barranco — the 

 biid passed close to me and struck at some tame Pigeons 

 which were circling round a house. This could only have 

 been Falco eleonoros, its long pointed wings being very 

 conspicuous during flight. As we proceeded the valley 

 opened out — the tamarisk scrub became thinner and the 

 ground was partially under cultivation. Immediately before 

 us a group of low hills, at the foot of which clumps of 

 date-palms were growing, lent an unusually tropical effect 

 to the scene, and beyond this again we caught a glimpse of 

 the great plain stretching to the distant mountain-chain. 



The low hills in the foreground obscured the village of 

 Tuiueje, which immediate neighbourhood may be considered 

 the true home of C/ilamyclotis undulata fuerteventurce, 

 Cnrsorius y. c/allicus, and Pterocles arenarius. 



As the sun was rapidly sinking we were forced to leave 

 this fascinating scene and retrace onr steps to the shore. 

 Nothing of further interest was noted until we had almost 

 gained the beach, when a pair of Thick-knees was flushed. 

 No Waders of any description were met with on this part of 

 the coast, the Yellow-legged Herring-Gulls holding entire 

 swav. 



