186 Unexplored Spain 
Isolated thus, a mere speck of water in the midst of the 
arid table-lands of central Spain, yet these lagoons of Daimiel 
constitute not only one of the chief wildfowl resorts of Spain, 
but possibly of all Europe. Upon these waters there occur from 
time to time every species of aquatic game that is known in this 
Peninsula, while in autumn the duck-tribe in countless hosts 
congregate in nearly all their European varieties. Those which 
wacseaeds WW AY. BBs 
RED-CRESTED POCHARD (Fudigulu rujilu) 
are found in the greatest numbers include the mallard, pintail, 
shoveler, wigeon, gargany, common and marbled teal, ferruginous 
duck, tufted duck, pochard, and (in great abundance) the red- 
crested pochard or Pato colorado. Coots also frequent the 
lagoons, but in smaller numbers. There also appear at frequent 
intervals flamingoes and black geese (Ganzos negros), whose 
species we have not been able to identify, sand-grouse of both 
kinds, sea-gulls, duck-hawks, grebes, and occasionally some 
wandering cormorants. Herons and egrets in their different 
varieties haunt the shores and the shallows. 
Lest any far-venturing fowler be induced by this chapter 
