BIRD-LIFE OF THE SPANISH SPRING-TIME. 253 



alcoraoques there resounds the shrieking maniacal laughter 

 of the flame-coloured Spanish Woodpecker (Gecinus sharpii) 

 as he flies heavily from tree to tree with rustling, undulated 

 flight : then there is an occasional Azure-winged Magpie 

 (Cyanopica cookii), there are Wood-Pigeons and Turtle- 

 Doves, Spotted Cuckoos, and Magpies in swarms. The 

 cavernous trunks are occupied by colonies of Jackdaws,, 

 less hoary-naped than ours, the lesser crevices by Hoopoes,. 

 Scop's and Little Owls. 



Nearly all the brilliantly-plumaged birds which at this 

 season lend a semi-tropical character to the Spanish avi- 

 fauna, are spring-migrants — pouring across the straits 

 during the months of March and April, and retiring to 

 African latitudes in autumn. Here is a brief record, show- 

 ing dates of arrival, &c, chiefly from the observations of 

 one year (1891), but supplemented where necessary by 

 those of previous springs, with a few incidental notes. 



February 21st. — Many Swallows arrived : in thousands 

 on 23rd — a complete nuisance while snipe-shooting. On 

 February 28th some were already beginning to nest. 



February 26th. — A single Hoopoe arrived :. numerous by 

 3rd March. Also observed a Goshawk. 



February 28th. — A pair of Egyptian Vultures, and many 

 Lesser Kestrels were seen to-day. 



March 1st. — Great Spotted Cuckoo, and a single Wheat- 

 ear appeared. Many of the Wigeon and other ducks, and 

 all Golden Plovers are now gone. Shot four Garganey. 



March 8th. — First Serpent-Eagle (two more on 10th), and 

 many Black Kites, in pinoles. The White Wagtails entirely 

 disappeared about this date. Landrail shot. 



March 10th. — Hundreds of Wood-Pigeons — all gone next 

 day. Shot a pair of Black Storks (1869). 



March 13th. — Last Woodcock. Not one-fifth of the 

 ducks now remain in marisma. 



March 19th. — Shot Scop's Owl in garden at Jerez. 



March 20th. — Observed Kentish and Lesser King Plovers, 

 and shot Purple Heron. Flights of Cranes passing north. 



March 24th. — Observed Short-toed Larks, and Spotless 



