in the Dohrudscha. 
365 
Reverting, however, for the present to the coast, we find that, 
where the earth-cliffs do not come down directly to the sea, lakes 
both of salt and fresh water intervene. These are generally 
separated from the sea by strips of land, such as the one pre¬ 
viously described at Sud Geul. Towards the north the lakes 
are more extensive. The earth-cliffs about Kustendje are much 
resorted to by birds for breeding, from the facility with which 
they are perforated. The Eagle-Owl (Bubo maximus) has been 
known, though not quite lately, to have its eyrie on a very ac¬ 
cessible ledge in one of these faces; but it is not likely this will 
occur again, owing to an increase in the European population 
hereabouts. The Turk is a true friend to all birds, and never 
molests them; but where Franks and Greeks abound guns 
become numerous, and birds diminish. The Ruddy Shelduck 
(Tadorna rutila) breeds in these places, as also in the holes of Tra¬ 
jan's wall, and in other holes up the country. Eggs, however, of 
this bird would be of no value to collectors unless authenticated, 
as the other species occurs sparingly. Though plentiful, it is by 
no means easy to obtain the eggs. I and my friend spent the 
greater part of a day in driving a tunnel into a bank where one 
had been seen to come out. But our labour was in vain; for 
after advancing several yards, working one at a time, prostrate, 
and in the dark, the original hole was found to fork off into 
two branches. The natives sometimes obtain a sitting which is 
hatched, and the young ones are brought up for domestic pur¬ 
poses. Starlings and Jackdaws (always Corvus collar is : see 
f Ibis/ vol.ii. p.8S5) are likewise fond of these cliffs. Acridotheres 
roseus has also been noticed, but not by me; it may be seen at 
times sparingly mixed with the other Starlings. This bird, as is 
well known, breeds in large colonies in parts of Asia Minor, 
though at irregular intervals; it is not supposed that it ever 
breeds here. A few Gulls frequent these cliffs, but they were 
very scarce in the month of April, and being rather shy from 
frequent shooting, I was not able to handle a specimen. Judg¬ 
ing from a distance, Larus fuscus and L. argentatus seem to 
prevail. We picked up the remains of a Shearwater in the very 
last stage of decomposition ; it appeared to be Pvffinus anglorum . 
I fancy this is the species so numerous on the Bosphorus, where 
