27 3 
Ornithology of Asia Minor. 
The stock birds are the Isabelline Chat and Larks (Short¬ 
toed, Crested, and Calandra). Jackdaws live about the vil¬ 
lages ; and numbers of Sand-Grouse ( Pterocles arenarius ) cut 
the air with their sharp swift wings. A few of their nests 
were taken, all containing the usual complement of three eggs. 
The way was further enlivened by the plundering of a Bus¬ 
tard's nest (Otis tarda) and those of certain Eagles, chiefly 
Aquila imperialis. After passing the wretched village of 
Aladja, the character of the landscape changes; the hills are 
higher, and are covered with a thick growth of oak-scrub. 
At our halting-place of Baba Eyonb-tekessi there was capital 
ground for Warblers; and after a shower the hills resounded 
with the songs of Nightingales, Barred and Orphean Warblers, 
and Bobin Chats, all performers of the first order. 
From here to the old Mussulman town of Tchorum num¬ 
bers of Boilers, Bee-eaters, and Bosy Pastors were met with. 
Tchorum was reached May 15th. Hitherto the weather 
had been fine and very warm. Frequent showers now fell, 
which soon increased to tremendous thunderstorms, accom¬ 
panied by hailstones and heavy rains. This state of things, 
which lasted all the way to the coast, made travelling difficult 
and roadside collecting impracticable. Between Tchorum and 
Mersiwan we crossed hills covered with oaks, hazels, Syringa, 
barberry, roses (pink, yellow, and white), and hawthorn in 
full bloom. 
The latter town is the ancient Phasemon. It is prettily 
situated at the base of a range of mountains, and surrounded by 
large gardens and fine old walnut-trees. Beyond it the mud 
had made the roads so difficult that our guides diverged from 
the ordinary path and, by long detours over the hills, brought 
us to the watering-place of Kausa. Here half a dozen enor¬ 
mous khans, crowded with a motley assemblage, were grouped 
round the baths. These hot springs, which were well known 
to the ancients, are said to be very effectual in curing many 
complaints. They are protected by domed buildings, are 
large in volume, and have a temperature of 125° Fahr. 
Leaving the hubbub and dirt of Kausa behind us with much 
pleasure, we rode to the prettily situated khan of Ak Soo 
