64 FAUNA AND FLORA OF PALESTINE. 



arc more like our Titmouse than the Humming Birds, not hovering over 

 the flowers, but cHnging to the stems. 



The nearest alHes of Cinnyris oscce are the West African species, 

 C. boiivicri, and C. vcmistiis, but it is very distinct in coloration from 

 either of them. As has been said, its range is extremely limited, its head- 

 quarters being the oases at the north-west and south-east extremities of 

 the Dead Sea, while it spreads in smaller numbers up to the Lake Hulch. 

 Beyond the gorge of the Jordan I never but once found it, and that was 

 at the south of Mount Carmel, in the marshes of the Zerka river. It is 

 everywhere very shy and restless, flitting in the foliage after the manner 

 of a Tit, and with a note not unlike the call of the Blue Tit. Sometimes it 

 perches on the top of a bush, and jerks for a moment into the air after an 

 insect ; but more generally it may be seen prying into flowers on the same 

 quest. 



The nest is pensile, always suspended from the extremity of a lower 

 bough of some tree or shrub, generally but a few feet from the ground, 

 and looking like a tuft of straw and weeds left entangled by some winter 

 flood. The outside is studiously untidy, but the structure most compact 

 and finished within ; domed, with a small entrance at one side. Thus 

 suspended, it is perfectly secure from the attacks of snakes or tree lizards, 

 the great foes of small birds' eggs and young in this country. 



FAMILY, FRINGILLID^. 



iio. Cardiielis clegans. Steph. in Shaw. Gen. Zool. xiv., p. 30. 

 Goldfinch. 



The Goldfinch is found in every part of the country at all times of the 

 year ; the great variety of composite plants, some of which are always to 

 be found in seed, affording it an abundant supply of its favourite food. 

 Olive-yards are its favourite breeding places. 



The Goldfinch inhabits the whole of Europe, except the extreme 

 north ; North Africa and Asia, as far as Persia and Turkestan. At its 

 Eastern limit it meets another species, Carduclis caniccps, Vig., and on 

 the border line the two species appear gradually to run into each other, as 

 may be seen by Mr. Seebohm's fine series from Central Asia. 



