252 THE ZOOLOGIST, 



L. ; L. rubiconda, L. ; Phryganea reticulata, L. ; Hydroporus 

 marginatum, Dft. ; Hydrophilus piceus, L. ; Stratiomis chamceleon, 

 Deg. ; Grillotalpa vulgaris, Latr. ; gen. Acridium ; Cicada 

 plebeja, Scop. 



Mollusca. — Limnceus ampullaceus, L. 



Pisces. — C 'ottus gobio, L. ; Esox lucius,~Lr, Gobio fluviatilis, 

 Cuv. ; Leuciscus erythrophthalmus, Linn. ; Tinea vulgaris, Cuv. 



Amphibia. — Rana esculenta, Linn. ; Bufo vulgaris, Laur. ; 

 Triton cristatus, Laur. 



Keptilia. — Lacerta viridis, Daudin ; Tropidonotus natrix, 

 Linn. ; T. tessellatus, Linn. 



Aves. — Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. ; Gallus gallinorum (chiefly 

 small chickens). 



Mammalia. — Gen. Talpa ; Crossopus fodiens, Pallas; gen. 

 Mus ; gen. Arvicola. 



The Black Kite is almost always in pursuit of prey during 

 the day, but is most frequently seen flying about the wood at 

 mid-day and towards evening. It soars so high that it is some- 

 times scarcely visible, but seems to be a Swallow, and continues 

 wheeling about in circles, or resting suspended upon the expanded 

 wings for some minutes ; or, as Alleon says, describing great 

 spiral lines, making various evolutions, rising and descending. 

 Now and then, suddenly closing its wings, it drops down with an 

 extraordinary swiftness and almost touches the highest tops of 

 the trees, and then it recommences its slow spiral flight; if it is 

 left alone, it comes down about the wood, flying among the lofty 

 trees, probably in search of insects. I have several times seen 

 them fly close to the surface of rice fields when over-flooded, and 

 to running water, intent, as Bailly says, on fishing. That author 

 has seen them plunge into the water and take small fishes. I 

 have also noticed them flying over fields where they find Acridium 

 and Grillotalpa, as has also been observed in Spain by Werner. 



The number of Black Kites that every year arrive at 

 Grezzano, breeding in companies in the wood, varies from forty 

 to fifty birds. I think that the number given me by the inhabi- 

 tants of that country must be exaggerated when they say that it 

 amounts to two hundred birds. In 1892 the Rev< Carcereri shot 

 as many as twenty-five Black Kites ; but in the following years, 

 1893-96, only three or four fell to his gun. From what I have 



