( 545 ) 



We are now acquainted with the following races of G. petrosa : 



Caccabis petrosa petrosn ((im.). Northern N.W. Africa and Sardinia. The 

 statements of its occurrence in S.E. Earope appear to be erroneous ! Cf. Reiser, 

 Ornis Balcanica iii. p. 577. 



Caccabis petrosa koeniyi Rchw. Above more shxt)-, breast more intensely 

 coloured. Canary Islands. (From Tenerife and Gomera in the Triug Museum.) 



Caccabis petrosa spatzi Rchw. South Algeria and South Tunisia. 



ino. Cotumix coturnix coturnix (L.). 



The Quail passes through Algeria on migration, and is one of the principal 

 objects of " la chasse." We have met with it even among the barest sand-dunes 

 between El Oued and Touggourt, where there were little bushes of Ephedra or 

 Limoniastrum, or a few blades of Siipa. 



Quails are also nesting in North Algeria, and at least as far south as Batna and 

 the foot of Djebel Mahmel. 



200. Rallus aquations aquations L. 



Water-rails are said to be common in winter, but we only saw one near 

 Biskra at the end of February. 



2U1. Porzana porzana (L.). 



Seen several times near Biskra, in ditches, in February and March. A male 

 shot at Biskra February 26, 1911. Iris dull red. Bill greenish olive-yellow, base 

 orange. Feet yellowish green. 



202. Porzana pusilla intermedia (Herm.). 



(Baillon's Crake.) 



A fine female obtained at Biskra, April 13, 1908. Iris brownish red. Bill dark 

 olive, spot on upper and greater part of lower mandible grass-green. Feet 

 light olive. 



203. Crex crex crex L. 



Landrails are not rare on passage, and we have several times seen them 

 brought in by the (juail-shooters in March and April. We have a male, obtained 

 at Biskra April 11, 19u8. 



2114. Gallinula chloropus chloropus (hX 



It is evidently resident, as it is in North Tunisia, in the northern parts of 

 Algeria, as it was seen near Hammam Meskontine in May. We shot a female 

 at Biskra on April 4, 1908, where several others were seen. 



2t)5. Fulica atra atra (L). 



Coots were seen in vast numbers on Lake Fetzara on February 2, 1011. We 

 shot several, some of which have enormously developed and highly swollen frontal 

 shields. Similarly large shields seem to be seen in Europe in the breeding season 

 only. Others we shot had small shields, as in Europe. This species breeds on 

 the lake in great numbers. 



[We did not see Fulica cristata.'] 



36 



