J-^ FAUNA AND FLORA OF FALRSTINE. 



as far as Cawnpore. It is also found in Affghanistan, the Southern 

 Kerghis Steppes, and Yarkand. 



12. Saxicola finschii. Hcugl. Orn. N.O. Afrik. i., p. 350. The 

 Palestine Chat. 



This bird, the characteristic Chat of Palestine, was discovered by 

 me in 1S63, but erroneously identified with S. libanotica (Hemp, and 

 Ehrenb.), and, six years afterwards, was described by Heuglin from an 

 Egyptian specimen. It is the only chat, besides 6". lugens, which remains 

 in the hill country in winter, scattered everywhere, but always solitary ; 

 very conspicuous with its white body and black wings. 



Palestine is really its native country, but it is scattered, though very 

 scantily, over Western Persia, Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria, in all which 

 countries it is extremely rare. 



13. Saxicola mtrsia. Licht. Verz. Doubl., p. 33. 



S. pJiilothamna. Tristram. //;/j-, 1859, p. 58. Tristram's Chat. 



Tristram's Chat is one of the best known of its genus, occurring only 

 in scrubby desert plains in regions far apart from each other. In 

 Palestine it has been found only on the rolling plains south of Judaea : 

 in Africa in the dayats of the Sahara. It has been found also in Egypt 

 and Arabia. It breeds in the desert, making use of lizard or jerboa holes 

 under the roots of bushes. 



14. Saxicola lugcns. Licht. Verz. Doubl, p. 33. Pied Chat. 



The Pied Chat is very common throughout the year in the rocky 

 regions overhanging the Jordan valley, in the Judcean wilderness, and on 

 the highlands of Moab. I have never found it further north. Where it is 

 found it affects the same districts as the Palestine Chat i^S. finschii), 

 but may be at once distinguished by its black back and buff under tail- 

 coverts. 



The headquarters of the Pied Chat appear to be Palestine, but it is 

 also found in Arabia, Egypt, Algeria south of the Atlas, and occasionally 

 in Nubia. 



