(524) 



with scrub and bashes ; a single speciincn was shot by Koeuig on the Oned N'ca, in 

 tbe desert, but this must have been on migration. In the winter no Nightjars 

 remain in the iiills. They breed near Laml)ese, Baf na, Jlammam Meskontiiie, and 

 Hammam iriiirii. 



In habits and notes these Goatsucicers do not seem to differ from 

 C. euioj>aeu.i. 



13:i. Caprimulgus aegyptius saharae Erl. 



Erlanger, Jnuni.f. Orn. 189!l, p. 525, pi. .\ii, upper figure ; H.irtert, Viiij. pnl. Fnnim, ii. p 854. 



This beantifnl bird, the plumage of which matches the desert-sand in a most 

 remarkable manner, was fonud among the sand-dunes between Oumash and Biskra 

 on March 20, in several [ilaces between Tonggourt and El Oued early in April, 

 especially near Bordj Mgeitia, at El Oued, and about 40 kilometres south of Biskra, 

 where the eggs were taken on April 21, iOO'.i. 



Altogether we collected ten skins, all of whicii are of the same tint, thus 

 entirely confirming the differences oi saharae pointed out by Erlanger. The iris is 

 very deep brown, the bill dark slate or brownish, flesli-eolour at base, feet purplish 

 grey or brownish flesh-colour. 



The eggs were of course laid on the bare sand. They are pale grey with jiale 

 olive brownish-grey patclies and dots, and some nnderlying grey spots and patches, 

 and measure 31 "5 x 22 and 32 x 21 '5 mm. 



We found these birds in almost bare sand-desert with the scantiest vegetation, 

 and among low tamarisk bushes and other desert vegetation, but nowhere e.\cept 

 on sandy ground. 



Neither Professor Koenig nor we found these birds before the second half of 

 March, and then they were in little flocks of from five to seven individuals. This 

 would point to their being migratory to a certain extent, but more information is 

 required to accept this as a fact. 



We never heard a note of the Egyptian Nightjar, but Koenig tells us that it 

 whirrs like C. europaeics. 



134. Merops apiaster L. 



The Common Bee-eater breeds in many suitable places from North Algeria 

 (Hammam ll'hira, Hammam Meskoutine) to Biskra. It is a migrant, not arriving 

 before the beginning of April. Unless it be the " Persian Bee-eater," there is hardly 

 a more beautiful bird. Its colours, the marvellous gliding flight, and the lively, 

 rolling bell-like note combining to make it one of the most fascinating birds of 

 Algeria. The arrival of large flocks on a clear April morning is an event for every 

 lover of nature. 



We have seen Common Bee-eaters as far south as Bordj Mecht el Kaid in 

 the sand-dunes of the Souf, where we saw a flock on passage on April 10, and at 

 Ghardaia in the middle of April, presumably also on passage. 



13ii. Merops persicus chrysocercus Cab. & Heine. 

 (Plate IX.) 



Mernps chn/socerriis Cabanis and Heine, Mus. Ileln. ii. p. 131* (ISfiO— Senegal) (Type examined). 

 Meroj)« ptrsirus saharae Neumann, Orn. Monalsber. 1908 — " Oasen der Sahara von Biskra bis zum 

 Tschadsee "). 



The Sahariui form of the Persian Bee-eater is distinguishable from .1/. pei-Kicus 

 persicushy the following peculiarities : the npperside is lighter green with a bright 



