La Mancha Ig! 
accident prevented our spending a week or two at Daimiel in 
May of the present year. 
Ospreys visit the lakes in autumn, preying on the abundant 
carp and tench ; and wild-boars, some of great size, coming from 
the bush-clad Sierra de Villarubia on the south, frequent the cane- 
brakes. Shelducks of either species appear unknown ; but grey 
geese (as well as flamingoes) make passing calls at intervals, a 
small dark-coloured goose (possibly the bernicle) is recorded to 
have been shot on two or three occasions, and wild swans once. 
The little country-town of Daimiel, situate six or eight miles 
from the lakes, was recently the scene of an extraordinary 
tragedy. We copy the account from the Madrid newspaper, 
El LInberal, February 20, 1908 :— 
Telegraphing from Daimiel, it is announced that yesterday a gang of 
masked men forced their entrance into the Council-Chamber while the 
Council were holding a meeting under the presidency of the Mayor. 
The masked men, who numbered six or eight, came fully armed with 
guns and rifles which they discharged in the very face of the Mayor, who 
fell dead, riddled with bullets. 
The assembled Councillors, seized with panic, fled. 
The murdered Mayor was a Conservative, and the only member of 
that party who held a seat in the Corporation. It is believed that the 
assassination was perpetrated in obedience to political motives. 
