MISS M. L. BUXTON ON A TRIP TO SPAIN. 675 
have been perfection lying under the sandhills in a bed of 
rosemary and lavender, with not a sound to break the silence 
but the Bee-eaters and Swallows, had not the place been 
infested with enormous Black Ants which always appear in 
thousands the moment one sits down anywhere, so that it is 
impossible to enjoy a moment’s peace. On our way home, we 
again visitedthe Herons’ lagoon, and came on a flock of Glossy 
Ibis feeding along the edge, and looking like a lot of big black 
( urlews. I here were also several common Sandpipers about. 
I hen our last day, Friday, came, and we were again making 
our way back to the other lodge, the “ Marismillas." My 
cousin had a wonderful gift of making herself understood, 
though we could not speak Spanish and the keepers could not 
speak English ; so by this time we could all understand each 
other perfectly, and kept up a ceaseless flow of talk and ges- 
ticulation. We saw a great many Golden Orioles, the first 
we had seen, and we succeeded at last in finding a Norfolk 
Plover’s nest — or rather — its two eggs, which were simply 
layed on the flat open sand with no pretensions at conceal- 
ment whatever, although there was plenty of growth about, 
and a good many stones in places. The keepers never could 
understand why we took so much trouble to find a nest and 
then did not want the eggs. I am sorry to say on our return 
to the “ Marismillas ” the children had collected me several 
eggs — amongst others the lovely pink coloured ones of the 
Icterine Warbler. All the blackbird’s eggs I saw, seemed to 
me rather smaller and were much brighter blue than ours : as 
remarked by Abel Chapman. We stayed at the “ Marismillas” 
on Friday night, and then with great sorrow said fare- 
well to one of the most fascinating and beautiful countries 
one could well see. As to the few people that live there, 
consisting of the keepers’ families and some charcoal burners, 
they are a type which I fear will gradually disappear with the 
growth of foreigners in the country. Perfectly simple and 
trustworthy, they are the most absolute gentlemen you could 
see anywhere and the most delightful companions. We ar- 
rived at Jerez that night and had to hurry off next morning 
to Honda. On the way we several times saw Little Owls 
v v 
voi. VIII. 
