( 41;?, ) 



Wc ri'inainetl in Biskra until April 3ll, when we nioveil to El Ksuitiira, where 

 we stayed five davs. AmmoiiitineK desfirfi (ilgericn.s/x aud Oenuiitlw leiicurn 

 Ki//ift.ic(i had eg-gs. In vain did we search for EkcIiIoc /wi'lii, one of the rarest 

 l)alaearctic Imtterflies, and hitherto the rarest one of Aljreria, though Kiickloi'. 

 r/trirlonki and Mctdiiiiriihi /iii^.t were nnnierous and several Piipilio macknon 

 lioxpitonkh'n were seen. 



Ten days were spent at Batna and Lanibese, one oi' which was devoted to 

 the ascent of Mount Mahmel [see in list under Oenanthe (Sax/cola) xet'MunQ, 

 another to an excursion to the ruins of the Uoinan city of Tiragad. This was 

 one of the most interesting day.s we spent in Algeria., Imf not ornithologically, 

 most of the way l)eing thronijli fields and bare hill-sides only covered with short 

 grass and countless wild artichokes, where luirdly another bird was seen except 

 (Vested Larks and Skylarks, and a few ( Ir/ifi/if/ir //isj/a/i/fa liixpaiiica. 



On 3Iay lo we left, Batna for Hamniani Meskoutine, in the northern Atlas 

 range. The way from El (xiierra to Hainmaiu Meskoutine was extremely beautiful, 

 the whole landscape beinir elad in lii.xnrious j^reen, with millions of red and yellow 

 wild flowers ; and whole mountain-sides and tiehls were deep scarlet from the 

 countless po]ipy-flowers — which were here of a deejiei', more pleasing red than 

 in Europe, lihirl; Kites, (iiddeii Eagles, and Griffon Vultures were seen from 

 the train. 



Hammani Meskoutine is a most inleresfing jilace. tlie hot springs being very 

 curious (see PI. XVI.). The In-at of the water as it bubbles up from the springs 

 supplying the hot waterfall and the baths is about 00' C, and it has been 

 estimated rlnit the total outjiut is about 20,0(10 gallons jier hour. All round the 

 springs strange cones, some of fantastic sha,pe, are seen, formed by the lime deposited 

 by the hot waters, which have fre<|uently changed their course when the latter 

 became blocked up by their own deposits. These springs were used by the Romans, 

 and known as the Aquae Tibilitanae. Remains of Roman aqueducts, baths, etc., 

 arc numerous, and those in Guelma, the nearest town, are of the greatest interest. 



The ornis of Hammam Meskoutine is rich and interesting, but there are no 

 real forests near by — only bnsh, scrub, gardens, and fields. Mount Taya is of 

 supreme interest to an ornithologist, and doubtless to entomologists as well, 

 but it is a long excursion by rail and mule. Bearded and (iriffon Vultures, 

 Falcons and Golden Eagles are still nesting on the stupendous clitts as they 

 did fifty years ago, when IJr. Sclater visited the place, in s])ite of the mining 

 operations and frequent blasting of the rocks. 



The stay in Hammam Meskoutine terminated this year's visit to Algeria, 

 and early in June we returned to England, bringing with us 733 bird-skins. 



A third visit to Algeria took place in 1011. On January 18 w'c left Tring, and 

 in the evening of the 21st we reached Algiers, being several hours late, chiefly on 

 account of a strike of firemen in Marseilles, which the steamer left more tha.n two 

 and a half hours late. We were again accom])anied by Mr. C Hilgert. 



From February I to IS we stayed again at Hammam Meskoutine, whence 

 we visited the oak-woods of Al'u Mokra, Lake Fetzara and the Djebcl Taya, antl 

 took ]]art in a wild-boar hunt among the neighbouring hills, when twelve wild pigs, 

 among them some fine old tuskers, were killed. Many of the summer birds we 

 found in IDO'J, such as the A^ghtingales which were our delight in Ma\-, Red-necked 

 Nightjars, aud Capriiiudgux eiiropue.iis meridionalis were of course absent, aud the 



