Mr. W. T. H. Chambers's Month in Tripoli. 103 



Not far from our camp flowed a clear rivulet, forming what 

 is a rare sight in that country, an extremely pretty cascade ; 

 and near this spot, for the first and only time during my journey, 

 I recognized an old Nile acquaintance in Cotyle rupestris ; for, so 

 far as my observation went, this charming Rock-Martin appeared 

 to confine its flight to this one little stream. On a neighbouring 

 hill the common Wheatear and Saxicola stapazina were equally 

 abundant ; and I here observed Petrocincla saxatilis for the first 

 time. P. cyanea I was surprised never to meet with. Turdus 

 pilaris I think I once saw. While wandering near the water- 

 fall just after sunset, I was delighted at hearing the unmistake- 

 able clucking of Sand-Grouse, and soon perceived large quan- 

 tities flying high overhead due south. An Arab informed me 

 they constantly came to drink at this spot early. Next morning 

 at break of day I was on the look-out. No Sand-Grouse, how- 

 ever, made their appearance ; and my Arab, ever ready with an 

 excuse, assured me that it was too cold ; but the next day, on 

 leaving Turhona, and travelling over a sandy plain covered with 

 rough grass, I fell in with them in great numbers, though 

 they were so wild that I could not once get within range. Their 

 size and black breasts showed them to be Pterocles arenaria ; 

 but the Arabs asserted that two other species are also found 

 there. 



I shot Alauda brachydactyla, and saw a large Eagle, which I 

 took to be Aquila imperialis ; but he was too wary to allow me 

 to make certain of the fact. With the exception of two, or 

 perhaps three, species of Circus, birds of prey seemed scarce in 

 Tripoli ; and Vultures I never met with. Two long days' march 

 over a wild country brought us to Ghrian ; and en route I shot a 

 pair of Jynx torquilla, and saw a pair of Erythrospiza githaginea 

 in beautiful plumage. Ghrian boasts a Turkish governor; and 

 its strong castle, built on the brink of a precipitous ravine, has 

 stood many a siege. Its garrison are armed with English 

 " Enfields." The great peculiarity of this district lies in the 

 subterraneous habitations used by the Arabs. An enormous 

 pit, some thirty feet wide and deep, is dug in the ground, and 

 the earth thus excavated is piled round the edge, while the bottom 

 of the pit forms the court-yard of the dwelling. On either side 



