( 523 ) 



nnmber also nest on Djebel Taya in North Algeria, and doubtless on many other 

 high mountains. On Djebel Taya, in May, some almost flew into our faces, while 

 we were lying in wait for Vultures and Lammergeyers. 



128. Apus apus (L.). 



A good many Black Swifts of the North European bhxck form pass throngh 

 Southern Algeria in April, and great numbers nest in Algiers and otlier towns of 

 Northern Algeria. The latter are not distinguishable from our birds, though some 

 reach a length of the wing from 180 — 182 mm., which is a quite exceptional size for 

 European birds. As an apparently larger form inhabits Dalmatia and other parts 

 of .South Europe, the reoccurrence of " typical " apus in N.W. Africa would be a very 

 curious problem, which at present is not quite solved, because the status of the larger 

 South European " kolUbayi " is not quite settled. 



12'J. Apus murinus brehmorum Hart. 



This form of the Pallid Swift passes tlirough Southern Algeria in April, and 

 nests commonly in the north, at least at Algiers and in its neighbourhood, and at 

 Bone. 



In 1908 we found it building its nest under an archway on the same house with 

 the Black Swift, and at Algiers it can frequently be seen on the wing at the same 

 time as the black species. If near enough the two birds can easily be distinguished 

 on the wing, though in habits and notes they do not seem to differ in any way 

 whatever. 



[Apus affinis galilejensis (Autin.). 



Among the rocks south-west of Biskra, near Zaatsha, Hartert and Hilgert both 

 recognised a white-rumped Swift on March IT, 1900, which must have belonged to 

 this species.] 



130. Caprimulgus europaeus europaeus L. 



The North European Goatsucker jjasses through Algeria on migration. Roth- 

 schild shot a male at El Oued on April 8, 1909. 



131. Caprimulgus europaeus meridionalis Hart. 



The small Mediterranean form of the Goatsucker breeds in suitable places 

 throughout the Atlas range, as we found it common at Hammam Meskoutine, not 

 rare at Hammam H'hira, and at Batna and Lambese, while we have also received 

 skins from North and South Morocco (Tamarouth in the south-western Atlas, 

 Riggenbach leg.), and Koeiiig, Erlanger and Whitaker found it in Tunisia. It njust 

 be migratory, as it is absent from its breeding-places in the winter months. 



There is a great deal of variation in the general coloration, some sjiecimens 

 being darker, others paler, but the smaller size is always characteristic of this form. 

 Habits and notes are the same as those of the larger form. 



132. Caprimulgus ruficollis desertorum ErI. 



Erlanger, Journ.f. Orn. 1H"J9, p. .521, pi. .xi. (Tuiiesia) ; Hartert, Viig. pal. Fauna ii. p. 851. 



Contrary to Hartcrt's former ideas, a paler form of the Red-necked Nightjar is 

 sei)arable. While ('. nijii-oliis rujicolli.t is found in Spain and Morocco, all Tunisian 

 and Algerian specimens we examined belong to Erlanger's desertorum. The name 

 is not well chosen, as this bird breeds chiefly in the woods and hill-slopes covered 



