90 Expedition to the Eastern Canary Islands. 



In the account of this trip I have attempted to give some 

 idea of the physical features amongst which the birds live in 

 tb.ese intensely interesting islands. The account would not 

 be complete without a short description of the narrow 

 peninsula forming the southern neck of Fuerteventura. 

 From the deck of our steamer a clear view was obtained^ on 

 more than one occasion, of the " Matas Blancas/' an eight 

 mile stretch of absolutely bare sand dunes forming an 

 isthmus between the main island and the mountainous mass 

 known as the Orejas de Asno. The highest peaks of these 

 rise to 2770 ft., which is the greatest elevation reached by 

 any mountain in Fuerteventura. Beyond the Asses' Ears 

 is a bare plain which culminates in the rocky headland of 

 Punta Jandia: this is probably the best spot in the entire 

 group for observing the migrations of the Charadriidse^ of 

 which a considerable number of species must touch on this 

 unfrequented part of the coast. 



The only sign of habitation is the lonely lighthouse built 

 on the extreme south-westerly point — the last we saw of 

 Fuerteventura as the little steamer passed beyond the shelter 

 of the land on the final stage of our journey to Gran Canaria. 



Explanation of the Plates. 



Plate II. Map of the eastern Canary Islands, showing- the route 

 followed. 



Plate III. Fig. 1. A typical tamarisk valley in Fuerteventura. 



„ Fig. 2. North-west cliffs of Montana Clara. 



Plate IV. Fig. 1. The home oi Saxicola dacotice dacotice. A barranco 

 on the west coast of Fuerteventura. 



„ Fig. 2. Montana Clara, Rotjue del Oueste and Allegranza, 



showing Graciosa in foreground. 



Plate Y. Fig. 1. Saxicola dacotice murielce, adult male in full 

 autumn plumage. 



„ Fig. 2. Sa.vicola dacotice murielce, immature bird of the 



year. 



„ VI. Hcematopus niyer meadeivaldoi, 



[To be continued.] 



