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Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/489

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ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM S.W. EUROPE.
455

food, for apparently they did not hawk for prey outside the limits of the town. At Gibraltar this species breeds in dozens on the great precipice forming the North Front. At Lisbon, Ronda, Algeciras, and in Sardinia they were also plentiful, though not nearly so numerous as about Arosa Bay and at Gibraltar.

F. cenchris.—The Lesser Kestrel was fairly common at Gibraltar and Ronda, where it was associated with the preceding species.

Phalacrocorax carbo.—The Cormorant was common at Arosa Bay, Gibraltar, and Aranei Bay.

P. graculus.—The Shag was common on the eastern front of the rock at Gibraltar, and present also, but in less quantity, at Aranei Bay, in Sardinia.

Sula bassana.—Gannets were on rare occasions seen in the harbour at Gibraltar, and in the straits outside, more especially towards the African side, they were fairly common. Whilst coming back to England, in December, 1899, in fairly rough weather, numbers of these birds were seen on the coasts of Portugal and Spain, whereas at other times of the year I have not noticed them there. Off Cape Finisterre, in a strong northwest gale, and many miles from land, a flock of about a hundred were observed diving with great activity. One or two were noticed in Arosa Bay on Dec. 10th.

Ardea cinerea.—One Heron was seen at Arosa Bay in March.

Anas boscas.—A few Mallards were present at Arosa Bay, and at Gibraltar a large colony on a piece of artificial water just outside the gates, on the way to the North Front. These birds all disappeared with the exception of a few pairs in the spring, and the latter remained apparently to breed, as quite young ducklings were observed in the beginning of May.

Columba palumbus.—A few Ring-Doves were observed in the cork-woods.

C. livia.—One pair observed near Caldas de Reyes, at Arosa Bay, in March.

Turtur communis.—Turtle-Doves were first noticed at Arosa Bay in May, when they were fairly plentiful throughout that district, and where they were evidently breeding.

Perdix cinerea.—A few Partridges occurred at Arosa Bay,