1960 Birds. 



was standing. Its flight was jerking and rapid, but seldom exceeded one hundred 

 yards. It always alighted on a large horizontal branch ; and then would sit peeping 

 and peering, bobbing its head up and down, and keeping far too sharp a look out to 

 allow me to approach within convenient distance. Although I spent some hours in 

 the pursuit at different times, I got no more than two shots; and those I — 

 missed ! 



The Great Gray Shrike (Lanius excubitor) was not uncommon during the winter 

 around Seville ; though I saw male birds only. In March and April it was not to be 

 found about Malaga. 



The Woodchat (Lanius rutilus) was first seen by me April 13th, and from that date 

 male birds were abundant. The female had not arrived, or, at least, I could not find 

 it, by the end of the month. The habits of this bird seemed closely to resemble 

 those of the red-backed shrike. Butterflies and Tipulae appeared to be its favourite 

 food. 



The Black Eedstart (Sylvia Tithys) was very abundant about Seville all the 

 winter. I saw it throughout Andalucia. The males were in beautiful plumage before 

 the middle of February. 



The Fire-crested Eegulus (Regulus ignicapillus) I saw once on an olive tree near 

 Seville. I was sufficiently near to distinguish it plainly from its congener, the gold- 

 crest, which I did not see in Spain. 



The Gray -headed Wagtail (Motacilla neglecta) made its appearance in small flocks 

 at Malaga in April. 



Short-toed Lark (Alauda brachydactyla) I saw for the first time April 5th. It 

 became plentiful subsequently. Its note is sweet, but does not equal that of the wood- 

 lark. It sung when soaring; and rose to a considerable height. It frequented the 

 sandy plains near the sea at Malaga. 



The Crested Lark (Alauda cristata) was very abundant throughout Andalucia. Its 

 note is plaintive ; uttered both on the wing, and when settled. I have observed it to 

 alight on either bush or tree. It can hardly be said to congregate, although many 

 individuals might frequently be seen in the same field. Many dozens congregated 

 daily in Seville market. 



The Hawfinch (Loxia coccothraustes) I saw once in Cadiz market. 



The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) I saw first in the neighbourhood of Malaga, March 1st. 

 In a few days after it became tolerably abundant. I obtained a pair as specimens ; 

 and found their crops well filled with the larva of some large coleopterous insect. 

 The flight of the hoopoe resembles that of the jay. It is seen to most advantage on 

 the ground, when its erect gait and the constantly repeated elevation and depression of 

 the crest give the bird a most interesting appearance. I do not think this bird had 

 commenced building when I left Malaga May 4th, although it seemed to have paired 

 previously to its arrival in March. 



The Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). No one bird pleased me so much as did this very 

 beautiful fellow. A flock seen at some elevation over head against the clear blue sky 

 of Andalucia is a sight almost worth encountering the inconveniences of the Bay of 

 Biscay for. As they skim along, forming occasional gyrations, they appear almost 

 transparent. The bee-eater made its first appearance in the neighbourhood of 

 Malaga April 10th. It frequented in numbers the banks of the Guadaljore, some- 

 times settling on the low-growing willows, and sometimes congregating on a high tree. 

 Before leaving the country I visited one of the breeding places. This was situated in 



