on birds in Macedonia.



29



the head. It is a very large bird, but no dimensions could be

given.*


There is another large bird, all of a brown colour, which has

a long tail resembling that of a fish, with sharp outline. As it turns

in the air the tail is often seen to twist into a plane reverse to that

of the wings. Might this be one of the kites ? [Undoubtedly. Ed.]


The small Athene owl is very common. One delightfully

tame one remained with us in three camps, though at liberty. One

night I was awakened, when sleeping beneath trees in the open, by

this bird, which hopped on and off me, and allowed its feathers to be

stroked. The colours are brown, with white dots and streaks on the

wings. A large brown owl resembles our wood owl, but is of greater

size. I hear of the eagle-owl, but do not know it. One officer, clever

at skinning, sent the skin home, and stated that its value was ten

pounds. It has not been my luck to see any horned owls. Last

July a mounted brigade headquarters had a tame golden eagle which

used to be on view outside the tents. Another buzzard-looking bird

which I see is of a general bluish colour.


Vultures appear from time to time; the best view I had

of them was a year ago, near Lembet. There happened to be a

bamboo-grass enclosure of some nomadic Roumanian shepherds for

the lambing season. It was in a heavy thunderstorm that six of

these great birds flew down one after the other, then sat together

with their great clumsy wings drooping beside them, and around

were a chattering group of magpies, hoodies, and jackdaws—pigmies

among giants. Some offal thrown out was the cause of the gather¬

ing. In the dim light they were little scared by my observations. One

vulture was very light yellow, whereas the rest were dark brown.

After four had gone, the light yellow one rested with one of the

brown. I cannot help thinking it might have been an albino

specimen.!


I have ridden close to a bird of much less size by approach¬

ing as usual in circles. It eats carrion, has a general vulture

appearance, but not the naked head and neck. Its head is yellowish,


* [The Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca). —G. R.]


f [The Black Vulture (Vultur monachus) is very variable, and pale individuals


often occur.—G. R.]



