422 Mr. C. F. Tyrwbitt Drake on the Birds of 



and Wild-fowl, besides a few Hares, of which there are two 

 species, so distinct that even the natives have diflferent names 

 for them. Rabbits also are found on the hillsides. Quails and 

 Little Bustards make their appearance in the corn-fields at 

 Tangier in April and May. 



The Rif country, which lies along the coast east of Tetuan, 

 would probably be full of interest to the naturalist, as, from 

 what can be gathered from the Moors, it is in many parts still 

 virgin-forest ; but as yet no European has ever been able to 

 explore it. The people, who seem to be a distinct race from the 

 Moors — having much fairer complexions, and speaking a dialect 

 which varies from the Mogrebbin or Moorish Arabic — are very 

 warlike, continually fighting among themselves and murdering 

 any wretched Moors or Jews who happen to fall into their 

 clutches. They are extremely jealous of strangers setting foot 

 in their territory ; and in fact it seems impossible for any one to 

 do so ; for though they are called subjects of the Sultan of 

 Morocco, his power over them is scarcely more than nominal. 

 In these forests a large wild beast is said to live, the description 

 of which answers in many respects to that of a Bear ; but its exis- 

 tence is rather mythical, as no reward has hitherto been able to 

 tempt the hunters to produce its skin. The Barbary Ape, 

 however, is very plentiful on the precipices and wooded hillsides. 



Along the coast to the west of Tangier are several alluvial 

 plains, which, in a few places, are formed into lakes by the 

 mouths of the rivers passing through them becoming silted up by 

 the sand drifted from the sea-shore. These are the chief resorts 

 of the water-fowl : amongst them the commonest is the Buff- 

 backed Heron, which, during the early part of the winter is 

 found scattered about the plains, feeding among the cattle or 

 picking insects off their backs. At this time it is extremely 

 tame, but as the spring advances, collecting in flocks previous 

 to migrating to its breeding-grounds (which I believe lie in the 

 marshes of the interior south-west of Tangier), it becomes one 

 of the most difficult birds to approach. 



There are many wild beasts to be found in this district. The 

 Wild Boar is still plentiful on the hills, where he makes his 

 lair in almost impenetrable thickets of gum-cistus and heather. 



