192 



8 



It is well known that in some of the countries of continental Europe the Ortolan is con- 

 sidered a great delicacy. MM. Degland and Gerbe write as follows: — "This species is much 

 sought after by gourmands on account of its good flavour and the delicacy of its flesh. It soon 

 becomes very fat in captivity. During the autumn migration numbers are netted in Belgium, 

 the south of France, and Italy, and when it appears in spring it becomes, on the coasts of the 

 Mediterranean, from Port Vendres to near Perpignan, the object of unceasing and most destructive 

 persecution." 



The description and figure of the adult male are taken from a specimen in our collection, 

 obtained by Mr. Robson, who shot it in Asia Minor. The young female figured in the Plate was 

 collected by Drs. Kriiper and Schrader near Smyrna. The adult female is described from a 

 Palestine specimen in Canon Tristram's collection. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. Sharpe and Dresser. 



a, b. Tangiers (Olcesse). c. rf. Italy, May 15, 1863 (T. Salvadori). c. 2 jun. Smyrna, May 3rd, 1863 

 (L. Schrader and Dr. Kriiper). d. 8. Asia Minor (T. Robson). e. Egypt (E. Cavendish Taylor), 

 f. 6. Vestergotland, May 22nd, 1864 {J. Meves). g, h, i,j. Yarmouth ?? (C. R. Davy). 



E Mus. Lord Lilford. 

 a, b. 8 2- San Ildefonso, Old Castile, June 1865. c. Jaca, Aragon, May 1867. d. Pamplona, May 1867 (L.). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Geneva, July 1844 {H. B. T.). b, c. d 2 . Jericho and Tell Kadi, Palestine (H. B. T.). 



E Mus. Lord Walden. 



a. 6 . Wady Beerba, under Mount Tabor, April 1864 (H. B. Tristram) . b, c, d, e, f,8,g,2- Asia Minor 

 {T. Robson). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders, 

 a. 8- Seville, May 10th, 1868 {H. S.). 



