226. THE ZOOLOGIST. 



is the only small bird. An occasional Hawk, Eagle, or Vulture 

 ilies overhead, and on one occasion the Little Bustard (strepet), 

 Tetrax tetrax, passed over. 



Through the hills of Boz Dagh there is a gorge called 

 Oghrudzhe — an ideal spot for a picnic. The inner man was 

 thoroughly attended to, for our conveyance over the desert — a 

 furgon, or heavy waggon drawn by oxen — was laden with 

 provisions and luggage enough to satisfy a sybarite. A mass of 

 freshly-cut grass, green and juicy, afforded fodder for oxen and 

 cushion for man, when duly covered with Persian rugs. A 

 Mack lamb sat patiently in the waggon, and was caressed by 

 us on the road and eaten on arrival, which seemed rather 

 cannibalistic ; he promptly fulfilled his destiny, was despatched 

 and skinned by the Tartar servants, and carefully carved by our 

 host. A juniper and a pistacio gave fuel for a blazing fire, over 

 the glowing ashes of which we roasted on skewers the most 

 tasty shashlyk from our comrade the lamb, tomatoes, and 

 bakladjan, or aubergine — inevitable accompaniment of an Eastern 

 meal. Wine, both white and red, a samovar, and even vodka 

 had not been forgotten. The place is absolutely waterless, so 

 an abundant supply was brought in huge jars of classical 

 design. 



This epicurean feast did not interfere with field-work. We 

 heard, but did not see, the Bock Partridge (Caccabis ehukar, 

 Gray), a very characteristic member of the avifauna. On a 

 crest of the hills eleven Vultures sat in state, launching them- 

 selves with dignity into the air as we approached. There were 

 no less than three species among them, all of which occur 

 throughout the Caucasus : Neophron per diopter us, L., easily 

 recognised from below by the sharp contrasts of black and white ; 

 •Gyps f ulcus, 6m. (bielogolovy sip), which appears dull grey; and 

 Vultur monachus, L. (chorny grif), which seems almost black. 

 The only other bird of prey noticed was Circatus gallicus, Gm.. 

 which the Bussians call the Snake-eating Eagle (oriol zmeyad). 

 The sharply-bent angle of the wings is very characteristic. W T e 

 observed a few Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis brevirostris, 

 Zarudny), and under a thorny shrub found the nest, with eggs, 

 of Aedon familiaris, Men. This was on June 28th-July 11th, 

 which seems very late, especially in this hot climate, for fresh 



