242 Mr. D. A. Bannerman on an Ornithological 



goes on to say that " on the eastern islands, especially as 

 regards Lauzarote^ they often appear near the wells by the 

 houses, and they collect in flights on the stubble fields after 

 harvest and in the old straw, finally leaving both islands 

 nd returning again in the spring/' 



Polatzek collected five nests in Fuerteventura, and took 

 clutches of eggs on the 20th of March and the 7th of April. 

 I myself received a clutch from Fuerteventura in the middle 

 of June which contained well-developed embryos. From 

 these dates it would appear that the Corn Bunting usually 

 arrives in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote towards the end of 

 February and remains to breed in these islands, departing 

 again after the summer harvest. 



If this is the case, then it is very remarkable that I did 

 not come across the bird in my journey which, as can be 

 seen by referring to the map (Part I. pi. 11.)^ covered the 

 greater {.art of both the large islands. I remained in 

 the eastern group from May the 5th until June the 17th 

 and kept a sharp look out for this particular species. 

 Whether the exceptionally cold and stormy weather which 

 was experienced at this time had anything to do with the 

 non-arrival of the Corn Buntings, it is difficult to surmise, 

 but it is certain that for some reason they had not kept to 

 their usual date of arrival in the eastern islands. 

 One bird was obtained in Lanzarote. 



Bill light horn ; iris dark hazel ; legs buff, darker on the 

 feet. 



A clutch of eggs, said to have been taken at Tuineje 

 (Fuerteventura), was sent to me on my return to Gran 

 Canaria. I received these eggs, which contained well- 

 developed embryos, in the middle of June. The clutch 

 consisted of four eggs remarkably handsomely marked. 



Ground-colour pinkish stone-colour ; heavily spotted, 

 streaked, and blotched, chiefly at the larger end, with very 

 dark brown and purplish-black markings, which form a 

 complete zone round the thick end. Beneath the heavy 

 blotches are underlying markings of lavender-grey, and 

 faint streaks are spread irregularly over each e^^. 



