The Stone-Curlew (_OEdicnemus crepitans_) is another fine species characteristic of the scrub, where it is resident or at least is found throughout the year, and their rectilineal footprints are everywhere visible on the sandy deserts. On these flat plains they are most difficult of access, and if winged, run like a hare; towards evening they become very noisy, piping something like a Curlew in spring--on the night of April 16th, while skinning a lynx by the light of our fire, the air around seemed full of them, their vociferations resounding from every side. We found the first nest, or rather a single egg lying on bare sand, on April 18th. We have come across these birds in widely different situations; high out on the barren stony mountains of the Minho, in Northern Portugal, packs of them frequented the few damp spots along the courses of the old Roman aqueducts--how few such weak spots were, testifies to the solidity of these ancient works. This was in November. Their local name there was "Mountain Curlew" (Masarico de montes). Apropos of these hills, the following rather curious incidents are perhaps worth recording. Far out among the boulder-strewn ridges, while Red-leg shooting, we used to find numbers of Green Woodpeckers miles away from trees--they were attracted thither by the swarms of ants. Nightjars (_Caprimulgus europæus_) and Little Owls also abode there; the latter fluttered out from under one's feet, and after a most un-owlish, up-and-down flight, would dive back under some big boulder, more like a fish than a bird. Small flights of Teal also resorted to these heights during the day, sitting among the heather, and returning to the marshes at night.
FOOD OF SPANISH RAPTORIAL BIRDS--Analyses of examinations of their crops--as follows:--
KITES examined, 21. Snakes, Lizards, Blindworms, &c 9 cases. Locusts, elytra of coleoptera, &c 9 " Bones and remains of small birds 5 " Rabbits and young Redlegs (1 each) 2 " Egg-shells 0 "
Note.--We have shot Black Kites fairly crammed with Locusts.
HARRIERS examined, 17. Frogs, Snakes and other reptiles 8 cases. Egg-shells 7 " Scorpions, coleoptera and other insects 3 " Game (1 Quail, 1 young and 1 putrid rabbit) 3 "
The Marsh-Harrier in spring seeks frogs, eggs, and young birds; in winter, frogs, wounded birds, and chance reptiles.