Mr. J. n. Guvney, Jun., on the Ornithology oj Algeria. 73 



has a much more attenuated appearance when perched, except 

 when it is asleep, when all the feathers are so puffed out that 

 the head is undistinguishable from the body. It was much less 

 common than Athene persica in the parts I visited ; and Tac- 

 zanowski mentions having seen only a single example. 



10. Athene glaux (Sav.) : Athene persica (Vieill.) : A. meri- 

 dionalis (Risso) : A. numida (Loche ?) : Athenian 0\vl_, Qray, Gen. 

 B. fol. sp. 44. 



These day-Owls sit openly exposed amongst rocks in the 

 high and shelving banks of the Chalif ; when frightened they 

 take refuge in crevices, whence it is almost impossible to dis- 

 lodge them. Their power of crouching aids them in squeezing 

 into small holes, and creeping through narrow apertures. At 

 Guelt el Stel and Laghouat their hooting was heard every evening 

 almost before the sun went down. I cannot say whether they 

 keep up their doleful melody all the night ; but I used to hear 

 them again at daybreak. They feed on beetles. As I learn 

 from my father that this is unquestionably the Sacred Owl of 

 Athens, I use the English name of "Athenian Owl" in pre- 

 ference to " Algerian Little Owl " or " Southern Little Owl/' 

 Taczanowski (in the list referred to at the head of this paper) 

 says that those seen in the desert are generally lighter in colour 

 than those met with on the coast. 



11. Caprimulgus ruficgllis, Temm. Red-necked Goat- 

 sucker. 



On the 8th of April, about 6 p.m., at Guelt el Stel, I saw 

 three birds which I suppose were of this species. They were 

 evidently preying upon young locusts, with which the ground 

 was so perfectly covered in places as to appear black at a little 

 distance. I saw them (apparently) pick up several insects 

 from the ground. The previous evening a specimen had been 

 given me at xiin el Ibel, where the coach stopped. A sports- 

 man brought it in alive, remarking that it was the only thing 

 he had shot. 



12. Cypselus apus (Linn.). Swift. 



There were immense numbers of Swifts at Algiers on my return 

 from the Sahara. 



