382 Recently published Ornithological Works . 
fact, Col. Verner has supplied us with a complete manual 
of egg-hunting based on his own long experiences, and 
abundantly illustrated by his remarkable artistic talent. 
Before commencing the main part of his work Col. Verner 
devotes several chapters to the preparations required by 
him who would go egg-hunting, and describes the para¬ 
phernalia required, as shown by his experiences during thirty- 
four years. Not only is the ordinary camping-out furniture 
described, but the ropes and shoes necessary for rock- and 
tree-climbing are distinctly specified. The leader of the 
expedition must “ carry on his person ” aneroid, watch, 
silk-rope, whistle, hunting-belt, swivels, knives, note-book, 
field-glass, telescope, compass, sketch-book, and small hand- 
camera ; while ropes, canvas-sling, casting-line and weight, 
egg-boxes, and various other articles may be entrusted to 
his assistants. 
After these preliminaries come chapters on the lagunas, 
plains, woodlands, sea-cliffs, and sierras of Southern Spain, 
and on the birds that specially resort to each of them. 
The larger birds naturally occupy most attention, but the 
smaller species are not forgotten. 
“ Among those which abound on the vega in spring is 
the handsome Calandra Lark (Alauda calandra ), a fine bird 
with a conspicuous black gorget. Both this and the 
Common Bunting are very numerous. The pretty little 
Crested Lark is also abundant, its sweet flute-like call 
being constantly heard. The smaller Short-toed Larks of 
both species (Alauda brachydactyla and A. bcetica) are also 
met with. The Common Fan-tail Warbler (Cisticola 
cursitans) is constantly to be seen and heard, its curious 
jerky flight and sharp staccato call making it easy to 
recognise.^ 
In Southern Spain the Crane is the typical bird of the 
laguna, the Great Bustard of the plains, the Osprey of the 
shore, the Booted, Snake- and White-shouldered Eagles 
those of the forests, and the Griffon Vulture and Lammer- 
geyer of the sierras; although these birds occasionally 
intrude into each other's domains. Full accounts are 
