1962 Birds. 



her husband come home in the evening laden " like an ass" with five of these birds. 

 All agreed that this bird was very difficult of approach. 



The Kentish Plover (Charadrius ca.ntianus) I obtained out of a small flock on the 

 plain immediately outside the walls of Seville. It was abundant on the sea-shore at 

 Malaga. 



The Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius minor) also I obtained at Malaga. I occa- 

 sionally saw small flocks at the mouth of the Guadaljore. 



The White Stork (Ciconia alba) was just making its appearance at Seville, where it 

 breeds in numbers, when we left February 1st. 



The Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). I saw only a solitary example as we as- 

 cended the Guadalquivir in November. It does not winter in Spain. 



The Glossy Ibis (Ibis falcinellus). I bought in the market at Malaga, April 21st, 

 an adult male specimen. It had been shot at the mouth of the Guadaljore, by a 

 more fortunate casador than myself. The same man contrived to kill at one shot, a 

 day or two subsequently, two magnificent flamingos. 



The Green Sandpiper (Totanus ochropus) was abundant throughout the winter on 

 all the snipe grounds, very much to the annoyance of the shooter : for immediately on 

 its emitting its note, (and it. usually kept an exceedingly sharp look out), all 

 the snipes in the neighbourhood took the hint. It goes by the name of the ' snipe's 

 monitor.' 



The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus melanopterus). I crave your sympathy fellow- 

 students of Ornithology, while I relate my sad tale. Visiting, April 22nd, a lagoon at 

 the mouth of the Guadaljore, which I was in the habit of frequenting, because birds 

 of many species frequented it too, the first peep showed me at some distance what, 

 though standing deep in the water, I could not fail to recognize as the black-winged 

 stilt. I determined to exercise Spanish caution in making my approach. The 

 ground was favourable : for a bed of the low-growing broom reached to within twenty 

 yards of the bird. I concealed my friend, made my dog crouch, doffed my sombrero, 

 and commenced with stealthy crawl to make for my object. When I guessed I must 

 be within shot, I raised my head softly and cautiously, when, lo ! a stupid redshank, 

 which I had not seen, rose shrieking, close to my side. Away, of course, went the stilt, 

 crossing the lagoon and the river. Again and again did I get all but within shot ; 

 and hour after hour passed away in pursuit: at last the bird settled on the opposite 

 side of the river, where I could not possibly get near it; I therefore sat down, 

 and watched its proceedings with my glass. Getting tired of this, I was under the 

 necessity of frightening the bird from its present position, with the hope it might take 

 up another more favorable to my wishes I fixed my gun, — the stilt rose, and with 

 it another bird, which from difference ol note, and similarity of appearance, I judge 

 to have been the spotted redshank, new to me, and therefore almost as valuable as the 

 stilt. Away they went, in company, up the river, — I saw them alight some half mile 

 from me, and was off in pursuit ; when, observing two fishers coming down the river, 

 who would certainly reach the spot before me, I altered my tactics. The birds, when 

 flushed, would doubtless come down the river ; down therefore squatted among the 

 canes close on the river's brink, my friend, dog, and self, to await their approach. On 

 came the fishers ; up got the birds ; and here they come, directly towards us ! Fancy, 

 ye brother collectors, my feelings ; two rare birds, the first of their respective species I 

 had seen alive, borne directly towards me with rapid wing! On they come, the red- 



