Birds: 1117 



II. Regular Birds of Passage. 



Common Buzzard, Buteo vulgaris. La Buse, (Temm.) Arrives at 

 the end of March or beginning of April, returns in October ; lives dur- 

 ing the summer in the woods on the heights and in the middle of Pro- 

 vence, but is rarely seen on the shores. 



Honey-buzzard, Pemis apivorus. The same observations. 



Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrirms. Faucon pelerin, (Temm.) It 

 arrives at the end of March, April, or beginning of May, and leaves 

 us in September, October and November. This bird remains some- 

 times all the year in the rocks of Provence. Its travels commence 

 with those of the smaller birds, and conclude with theirs. This ob- 

 servation may be made on all the birds of prey, and especially on the 



Hobby, Falco subbuteo. 



Merlin, Falco JEsalon. Last days of spring and the beginning of 

 autumn. 



Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus. Faucon Cresserelle, (Temm.) Ac- 

 companies the larks in their travels. 



Sparrow Hawk, Falco Nisus. Same passage as the peregrine falcon. 

 Some of these birds winter in those localities which abound with small 

 birds. 



Long-eared Owl, Strix otus. Hibou moyen due, (Temm.) Arrival 

 uncertain ; common at the time of its departure in October and No- 

 vember. 



Short-eared Owl, Strix brachyotos. Beginning of November ; ver- 

 nal passage unknown. 



Carrion Crow, Corvus Corone. Corbine, (Buff on). This species 

 does not appear in the spring in our countries, but it is seen in large 

 flocks at the end of October, in November, and sometimes later. It 

 always directs its course westward. Roux asserts that they do not 

 cross the sea. Sportsmen have told me that the flights which they see 

 in autumn quit Europe; therefore those which are seen in winter wan- 

 der along the shores of the Mediterranean, without thinking of cross- 

 ing it. 



Rook, Corvus frugileg us. Never descends to the shores, but re- 

 mains during winter in the heights of Provence. 



Magpie, Corvus Pica. Arrives in April, departs in October. Dur- 

 ing the winter innumerable flocks remain stationary at Hyeres and at 

 Frejus. 



Jay, Corvus glandarius. Le Geai d'Europe, (Cuvier). Resident. 

 Flocks of these birds appear to leave us in October ; their spring ar- 

 rival is not ascertained. 



