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loo. Oenanthe hispanica hispanica (L.). 

 {Saxicola hispanica hispanica auct. rec). 



(The confusion about the names for the western Bhick-eared and Black-throated 

 Chats is ended by adopting Linnaeus' oldest name of 1758, as above, and by 

 recognising the obvious fact that this bird is " dimoi'pliic " iiiasraucli as the black- 

 throated and white-throated birds belong to the same s])ecios, and this phenniuenoii 

 occurs both in the western and eastern races. For the application of the various 

 names see Hartert, Voq. tier pal. Fauna i. j)]). 685 and C87.) 



This bird is common on passage from about the third week in Marcli to the 

 middle of Ajiril, and we found it as far south as Lagiiouat ami half-way between 

 Biskra and Touggourt. It also breeds commonly in North Algeria and as far south 

 as El Kantara, where a nearly finished nest was found on May 3. Many were seen 

 in May in the plain of Metidja, between the coast and the " Little Atlas," near 

 Alger, among the vineyards, often sitting on telegrajih wires, stones and fences. 



Full clutches of three and five eggs were taken near Algiers on May 14 and 

 16, 1911. The nests were placed in shallow holes in quarries, about 8 and 12 feet 

 from the ground. The eggs are greenish blue, richly marked with pale rufous. 



They measure: 21 x 15-5, 2U'9 x 155, 216 x 15-6, and 20 x 15, 214 x 15-5, 

 20-6 X 15-3, 21-5 x 15-5, 20-6 x 154 mm. 



The males of both pairs were white-throated. The proportion of black- and 

 white-throated males appears to be about equal. 



Iu6. Oenanthe hispanica xanthomelaeua (Hmpr. and Ehr.). 



The eastern form of the Mediterranean Chat is by no means rare on passage in 

 Algeria. We shot one at Batna on April 15, 1908, four near Biskra on March 21 

 and April 3, 4, and 8, 1908, and on March 29 and 30 and April 1, north of 

 Touggourt and at Touggourt itself. Five are black-throated and three white- 

 throated. 



Mr. Whitaker says he took a nest with eggs near Gafsa. This is very 

 extraordinar}', as the western form breeds commonly in Tunisia, and we have no 

 knowledge of both forms occurring together in the breeding season. Perhaps tlu- 

 male had remained behind unintentionally. 



Iii7. Oenanthe moesta (Licht.). 

 {Saxicola moesta auct.) 



This species is resident in the clayey and partially in the sandy and stony 

 desert, but is never found among the sand-dunes and in the mountains. It, is fond 

 of places where the soil contains salt. We fonud it consequently by no means rare 

 in the desert south and west of Biskra, and southwards to Tamerna Djedida, north 

 of Touggourt, also north of Laghouat and in the regions of the dayats between 

 Laghonat and Ghardaia. There is a good deal of variation in the plumage, some 

 of the males being blacker, others more greyish on the back, and the crown some- 

 times darker, sometimes paler ; in tlic females too the back is occasionally much 

 lighter than usual. 



0. moesta is not shy, and during the breeding season is easily noticed by its 

 peculiar rolling note : this is uttered continuously when one approaches the nest, 

 and these rolling notes, together with some piping ones, also make up the song of 

 the male. 



