76 Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun., on the Orrdtholocjy of Algeria. 



regularity, about once every second. Weak as is their flight, 

 they can go at a good pace ; and though generally seen upon the 

 ground, they perch freely. This is a difficult bird to skin well. 



20. CoRACiAS GARRULA, Linn. Roller. 



The first seen was perched upon a headless Palm, in the oasis 

 of Gardaia. It screamed loudly when wounded, and was most 

 tenacious of life. I have a note that I saw one at Tibrem attack 

 an Egyptian Vulture. 



21. MusciCAPA ATRiCAPiLLA, Linn. Pied Flycatcher. 



It was not until April that I saw this species, after which it 

 became common. In the dayats and at Gardaia, where they 

 most abounded, the proportion of adult males in full summer 

 plumage to young birds and females, was as one to five. They 

 look exceedingly picturesque in the rich foliage of the oases, 

 clinging, perhaps, to a rough Palm-stem, though their more 

 common perch is the upper bough of a bush, whence they dart 

 off after passing flies, in the manner of Butalis grisola. 



22. Butalis grisola (Linn.). Spotted Flycatcher. 

 Common in summer. 



23. Telephonus erythropterus (Shaw) : T. cucullatus 

 (Temm.). Hooded Shrike. 



Has a wavering uncertain flight. Its powers of wing are 

 probably very limited. The least breath of wind blows up its 

 long tailj hence it generally keeps close to the ground. It 

 perches in a feeble manner, as if its legs could not support it. 

 The only one I shot was on the 6th of February as it flew from 

 a small but thickly matted bush near the sea, far away from 

 any trees. The previous fortnight there had been several in the 

 poultry-market at Algiers. 



24. Lanius algeriensis (Less.). 



Shy and hard to kill. Goes as far as Laghouat ; but about a 

 day's journey south of that town the next species takes its place. 



.25, Lanius dealbatus (De Fil., wee Bp.). Bleached Shrike. 

 Lanius pallens {Cass.) ^. 

 While I was at Gardaia a great flight of locusts passed over 



* [Qu. L. lahtora, S ykes ? Cf. Dresser & Sliarpe, P. Z. S. 1870, p. 595.— Ed. ] 



