( 530 ) 



14'i. Otus scops scops fL.). 



Although Ritter von Tschusi zii Schinidhoffen has s|ilit the Mediterranean 

 iScops-owls into various forms, we are, to our regret, unable to foUow him. 



We have collected seven specimens in the dayat of Tilrhemjit, five at and 

 near Biskra, four at Touggourt, three at Hammam Meskoutine, and have a 

 tnpotypical skin from Tallah, in Tunisia, shot at the same date as the types of 

 Tschusi's Pisorhina scops erlangeri* besides series from the Mediterranean north 

 of Africa. 



The individual variation of these birds is considerable, and makes the 

 separation of so many races ([uite impossible. Putting together and confronting 

 half a dozen or so each from various localities in Algeria, one might easily be 

 tempted to split, but for one or two specimens in each series which agree with 

 the other lot, and the bigger the series are, the more such disagreeing specimens 

 are found, nor are there any geographical areas inhabited by different forms. If 

 northern birds differed from southern ones on an average, we would gladly separate 

 tiiem, notwithstanding a few contrary individuals; but if specimens from the olive- 

 woods of Hammam Meskoutine in the Northern Atlas, and others from the vast 

 date-palm gardens in the oasis of Touggourt agree, and if two shot from the same 

 palm-leaf in Oumash differ considerably, it becomes insignificant that the majority 

 — though not all ! — from the dayats are a bit paler and greyer. Moreover we find 

 similar and greater variations in other countries. 



This exceedingly pretty little Owl is more or less common in the whole of 

 Algeria. Its very singular, melodious call can be heard in the gardens of Mustapha 

 Snjierienr, Algiers, and it is by no means rare at Hammam Meskoutine. Koenig 

 found it near Batna, and from the end of March one hears it every night in the 

 |)nblic gardens and among tlie date-palms of Biskra. It is also quite common at 

 Touggourt, and we heard il in Ghardaiii, and every night in Laghouat ; but we 

 found it commonest of all in tiie dayat of Tilrhempt. On a i|niet evening, when 

 the all-too-frequent wind was not blowing, one heard five, .six, or maybe more, 

 calling at the same time ; and if one carefully searched one could find thera in the 

 daytime hidden on the branches of the gigantic old terebinth trees, sometimes in 

 the well-known funny or grotesque attitudes which they so often assume. 



We found the iris varying from sulphur-yellow to golden yellow. The bill is 

 dark horn-grey or olive, the feet olive or plumbeous grey. 



150. Gyps fulvus fulvus (Gm.) 



We are sorry to disagree with ( 'ouut Zedlitz and our late friend Carlo von 

 Erlanger, who separated (j'yyw f'ldenx fulcm of S.E. Euroi)e and (ii/ps fultas 

 Occident nli Si of S.W. Europe and N.W. Africa— according to Erlanger also Egypt ! 

 Comparing adult birds only, we find the lightest specimen to be one from 

 Roumania, while Erlanger said that the western form is "drastically" lighter 

 {Joxirn. f. Orn. 1904. p. 142); nor can we find the statement that the western 

 form has lighter bills borne out by our series. Also Zedlitz's and Erlanger's 

 former opinion (in 1898, changed afterwards in 1904) that " oec/(/f'«^///.s " is 

 smaller is erroneous. 



We visited a single breeding-place, in May 19U9, on Djebel Taya, east of 



* Ovn. Jakrb. xv. 1904. p. 101.— The correct generic name of the Scops-owls is Otm, and not 

 PUorhhui. 



