( 499 ) 



49. An thus campestris (L.). 



We have noticed this species on passage in April, ami obtained specimens at 

 Biskra, and between Tonggonrt and El Oned, and saw it near Laghouat. We also 

 came across it on the nesting-grounds near Batna, and 1800 m. high on Djeliel 

 Mahmel. Specimens vary individnally. Of two males shot on May 7, near Batna, 

 one is much darker, the other paler, more isabelline. The supposed eastern 

 subspecies {Aqrodroma campestris minor R. Blasius, ex Homeyer MS.) does not 

 seem to exist. Its small size and scarcely developed black malar line are peculiar 

 to the females. The wing of a female shot at Biskra measures barely 82 mm. 



i)0. Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (L.). 



We did not ourselves come across the Water-Pipit, but Steinbach shot a 

 female near Biskra on December 20, 1907, which we received from him. This is 

 perhaps the sonthernmost locality in N.W. Africa on record. 



51. Motacilla flava flava L. 



Nowhere did we come across any breeding Wagtails, though we particularly 

 looked out for them, but we saw several small parties on migration near Biskra in 

 Aj)ril. A male specimen shot on April 8 is M.fldra Jtarn. The same form was 

 common at Touggourt early in April, near Laghouat, and in the dayats near 

 Tilrhempt in April 1911, and a female was shot at Ghardaia on April 20. At 

 Touggourt we also saw M. flava rayi, and Rothschild thinks he recognised a 

 Black-headed Yellow Wagtail near Biskra in March. The only specimen on record 

 from Algeria of the latter appears to be one obtained by Loche near Ain Oussera. 



52. Motacilla alba alba L. 



Obtained once in Biskra in March, and common in the neighbourhood from 

 Febrtiary 20 to the end of the month in 1911. Also seen near Laghouat early in 

 April 1911. 



5:!. Motacilla boarula boarula L. 



Two seen and one shot on February G, 1911, at Hammam Meskontine. The 

 body plumage was in full moult. 



54. Certhia brachydactyla mauritanica With. 



The N.W. African Tree-Creeper is very closely allied and hardly distinguishable 

 from C. hraclif/flrirti/la vltramontnita from South Europe. Three out of our ten birds 

 have a distinct bull' sjiot on the fourth primary, and this spot is often absent in 

 ultramoniana. 



We were never more astonished than when we found this bird, on March 7, 

 in the palm-oasis of El Kantara, where there are no other trees than date-palms 

 and a few apricots, oranges, and fig-trees. Nevertheless, we obtained three males 

 there. They were singing and quite at home among the palms. 



Afterwards we fonnd these Creepers common in the oak-woods above Lambfese, 

 near Batna, in May, but their plumage was rather worn at that time. 



Mr. Riggeubach found these Creepers in the oak-woods of Temeroui in the 

 Atlas of S, W, Morocco. 



