410 Unexplored Spain 
Pocuarn (Fuligula ferina).—Though we have not found it ourselves, one of 
our fowlers (Machachado) tells us that pochards breed on the lakes, and even 
more in Las Nuevas, laying but few eggs—five to seven. 
RED-CRESTED PocHarRD (Fuligula rufila).—This is the characteristic 
breeding-duck at Daimiel in La Mancha, as well as on the Albufera of 
Valencia, at both of which points it abounds. Yet curiously it is all but 
unknown on the Betican marismas. Among the thousands of ducks we have 
shot therein, but a single example of the red-crested pochard figures—a female 
killed January 19, 1903. 
TurtepD Duck (Fuligula cristata). None remain, though abundant in 
winter. 
WHITE-FACED Duck (Erismatura leucocephala).—This species, known as 
Bamboléta or Malvasia, arrives in spring and breeds commonly on every deep 
pool and reed-girt lagoon in Andalucia. 
SHELDUCKS (Tadornu cornuta), we are assured (though this we have not 
proved), breed in the marisma in hollows (hoyos)—such as the cavernous foot- 
prints made by cattle in the soft mud in winter. Common in dry winters. 
Ruppy SHELDUCK (Tadorna casarca).—These are seen here all summer, yet 
we have failed to discover their breeding-places. They are common, old and 
young, on the Laguna de Medina in August and September. This is a striking 
species of stately flight and clear-toned ringing cry ——Had-ds—thrice repeated. 
WAGTAILS 
Prep WactTalL (Motacilla lugubris)—This familiar British species occurs 
rarely in S. Spain—we have but four records, all in winter. In the reverse, 
the WHITE WAGTAIL (Jf. alba) abounds—ploughed lands sometimes look grey 
with it; and it is here, in winter, as tame and familiar as one sees it in Norway 
and Iceland in summer. Yet midway between the two, i.e. in the British 
Isles, we have seen it but thrice! There it may indeed be termed a “rare 
bird.” The explanation seems to be that (like the two southern wheatears) 
these two wagtails are not specifically distinct, but merely a dimorphic form. 
This year (June 1910) we found the white wagtail breeding commonly in 
North Estremadura. 
During a northerly hurricane on February 7, 1903, we observed an 
assemblage of many hundreds of white wagtails on the barren sand-dunes of 
Majada Real—a second crowd, as numerous, a mile away. Both were 
migrating bands arrested by the gale. This is merely one example out of 
scores that have come under our notice of the magical apparition of birds from 
the clouds, caused by a sudden change of wind. Specially notable, besides 
wagtails, are swallows, wheatears, pipits and larks. 
The Grey WacrarL (IM. melanope), though occasionally seen in winter, is 
most conspicuous about mid-February, when it passes several days on our lawn 
at Jerez. It has not then acquired the black throat of spring ; but two months 
later we have found it nesting on mountain-burns of the sierras—precisely such 
situations as it frequents among the Northumbrian moors. 
The YeLttow Wacrait (Jf. flava; the Continental form, cinereocapilla) 
appears on the lawn a week or so after the grey species has disappeared ; 
but this remains throughout the spring, nesting in wet meadows and marshes, 
laying during the last week of April. 
