Birds. 5359 



about a mile from the sea ; they also nested in holes among the rocks 

 at Inkermann. 



Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). Migratory ; first seen on the 5th of 

 April, and was not uncommon, frequenting the same places on the 

 Katcha as the roller. 



Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). Seen only once in winter, but was not 

 uncommon in May. 



Swallow {Hirunda rustlca). Very common; breeding in rocks. 

 Migratory; first seen on the 3rd of April, 1856. 



Martin (H. urbica). Not so common as the swallow. Migratory ; 

 first seen on the 3rd of April, 1856. 



Sand Martin (H. riparia). Migratory, and not uncommon ; first 

 seen on the 22nd of April, 1856. 



Whitebellied Swift (Cypselus alpinus). Migratory; first seen on 

 the 2nd of April, 1856 : was very numerous, nesting in inaccessible 

 holes and caves in the cliffs at Inkermann. 



Swift (C. apus). Migratory ; first seen on the 10th of April, 1856 : 

 was not so common as the whitebellied swift. 



Nightjar (Caprimulgus europceus). Migratory, and often seen 

 among the short brushwood and juniper bushes ; first seen on the 1st 

 of May, 1856. 



Ring Dove (Columba palumbus). Seen in April and May, 1856. 



Rock Dove (C. livid). Seen occasionally on the sea coast. 



Turtle Dove (C. turtur). Migratory; first seen on the 25th of 

 April, 1856, and was very common. 



Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). I am not aware that this bird is 

 found in the Crimea, but it probably is, as they are found in small 

 numbers at Samsoun, in Asia Minor, and also in the vicinity of 

 Scutari. 



Partridge {Perdix cinerea). Is found throughout the year on the 

 steppes, but not in great numbers. 



Redlegged Partridge (P. rubra). Seen occasionally during the year. 



Quail (Perdix coturnix). A few are found in April ; in September 

 great quantities arrive on their passage. 



Great Bustard (Otis tarda). A flight of these birds arrived about 

 the 5th of January, 1856, the wind at the time being N.N.E. ; great 

 numbers were killed and seen near Balaclava and Kamara; they are 

 also seen about the plains near the Alma in May. 



Little Bustard (O. tetrax). Found on the plains near the Alma : 

 several which I saw that were killed in May were in the summer 

 plumage. 



