[60] We mention, parenthetically, certain birds observed at end of March on that alpine meadow (4800 feet), as follows:--One ring-ouzel, a pair of common wheatears, woodlarks, and Dartford warblers--all, no doubt, on migration--besides, of course, blackchats, blue thrushes, etc. A month later the beautiful rock-thrush had come to grace the desolation with lilting flight and song, and tawny pipits ran blithely among the rocks. [61] Note that the pellets or "castings" thrown up by vultures are chiefly formed of grass cut up into lengths and compacted with saliva, evidently digestive. We have frequently seen vultures carrying a wisp of grass in their beaks. [62] The Spanish name of the ibex, _Cabra montés_, signifies, not as might appear, "mountain-goat," but _scrub-goat_; and may have originated in this region, or at least from a habit which prevails here though obsolete everywhere else. [63] Similar results followed on the Laguna de Janda. That great shallow lake abounds in winter with both ducks and geese; but differs from the marismas in being sweet water, hence is not frequented by flamingoes. Another point of difference is that its shores are occupied by wild bulls instead of brood-mares; hence the _cabresto_-pony is not available. Wildfowl here also proved inaccessible to a gunning-punt on open waters; while wherever reeds or sedge promised some "advantage," in such places the depth of water was always insufficient to float the lightest of craft within range. The best shot made during four seasons realised but twenty-three (seven geese and sixteen duck)--a paltry total. Occasionally a great bustard was shot from the gunboat. [64] The word "_Corro_" applies in Spanish to any noisy group--say a knot of people discussing politics in the street! [65] One feels convinced, while lying listening, that these exuberant fowl invent and formulate a series of new notes and cries special to the occasion and outside their normal vocabulary. Hence, possibly, originated the use of the term "_Corro_." [66] _Corros_ usually consist (especially the earlier assemblies) of one root-species--others merely "edge in." The later _corros_, however, are much mixed. They vary in numbers: one may contain but 200 pairs, another within half-a-mile as many thousands. [67] Pratincoles cast themselves down flat on the dry mud, fluttering as though in mortal agony--or, say, like a huge butterfly with a pin through its thorax! The device is presumably adopted in order to decoy an intruder away from their eggs or young. This year, however, the pratincoles still practised it, although they had neither eggs nor young at all. One day (May 12) a gale of wind blew some of the deceivers bodily away. [68] In none were the generative organs more than slightly developed, and in most the plumage was full of new blood-feathers, showing that the summer change was not yet complete. The date, May 10-15. Another drawing is given at p. 42.