10 Mr. C. G. Danford on the 



65. SiTTA SYRIACA, Ehr. Ka'iya bulbul (Rock-Nighimgale). 

 Common in all situations suited to its habits^ and found 



even among the stone heaps in woods. Though almost en- 

 tirely a rock-birdj it occasionally frequents bushes and trees, 

 two having been shot from the large walnuts near Zebil. 

 Nests in April under overhanging rocks. 



66. SiTTA KRUEPERI, Pclz. 



This is by far the most abundant Nuthatch of the Taurus, 

 and one of its most characteristic birds. No better proof can 

 be adduced of the backward condition of our ornithological 

 knowledge regarding Asia Minor than the fact that this species 

 was but comparatively recently discovered by Dr. Kriiper. 

 We first became acquainted with it on the Jamanlar dagh, 

 where, in one morning, eighteen specimens were collected 

 without any difficulty. From Smyrna to the woods on the 

 above mountain and back again is an easy winter day's ex- 

 cursion ; and from this district to the eastern end of the Taurus 

 I believe that there is not a single fir-wood which is not well 

 stocked with this interesting species. It also exists, no doubt, 

 in the Antitaurus and Giaour dagh ; but whether its range 

 extends beyond the Palanga Ova and other elevated plateaux 

 which intervene between the Taurus and the mountains of 

 Armenia and Kurdistan is a matter for future investigation. 



It occurs along the upper edges of the oak-woods, chiefly 

 frequents the pines, and is not uncommon among the cedars 

 and junipers up to the limit of the tree-growth. Its habits 

 may be said to be strictly arboreal, though a specimen was 

 once shot amongst a heap of loose stones. It does not ascend 

 trees spirally, but prefers the upper branches, and may often 

 be seen hanging like a Tit to the outer sj)rays and cones. It 

 has a very loud voice for so small a creature, and at least 

 four distinct cries. One of these is a short clear call-song, 

 uttered when the bird is at rest ; others resemble the cry of 

 the common Nuthatch and the spring notes of the Great Tit ; 

 but the strongest and most startling is the Jay-like screech, 

 with which it signals its alarm or. Woodpecker-like, foretells 

 comins: rain. 



