Mr. J. H. Gurneyj Jun,, on the Ornithology of Algeria. 77 



the city, and the White Shrikes fed upon them. This tamest 

 of birds is very common in the Mzab country. No clump of 

 trees, or dayat, is without its pair. The young are fully grown 

 by the end of April ; they infest every garden, preying upon the 

 swarms of coleoptera which a high degree of moisture fosters ; 

 and, from their habit of not immediately eating what they catch, 

 they are generally seen with something in their mouths. A 

 favourite perch is the bottom of the crest of a Palm where the 

 fronds are broken short, whence they can easily dart off to 

 snatch a passing beetle, or rise into the air after a more high- 

 flying locust. The Pallid Shrike's is a laboured flight, slow, 

 but with very rapid beating of the wings. Its note is loud and 

 sharp. It can mimic other birds ; I have heard a young one 

 utter notes which were the exact counterpart of those of the 

 Desert-Bullfinch {Carpodacus githagineus) . 



26. Lanius auriculatus, P. L. S. Miiller. Woodchat. 

 L. I'ufus, auct. 



A common summer migrant, especially abundant on the 

 wooded hill-sides between Boghar and Medea, and nearly as com- 

 mon in the Sahara. It settles upon fallen wood, and sometimes 

 amongst the young wheat grown in the oases of Laghouat, as well 

 as tenanting many a solitary bush far away from habitations. 

 Though generally seen upon an upper bough, it is a much less 

 demonstrative bird than the Grey Shrike. It will sit with its 

 mate on some slender stalk, shaking itself up (like a young 

 bird) and vibrating the wings rapidly, but with no motion of 

 the tail, until startled off. Its flight is nearly direct, but rather 

 laboured than swift. It is, on the whole, rather a mute bird, 

 but utters a kind of shriek when shot, and bites hard. 



27. Oriolus galbula, Linn. Golden Oriole. 



Four seen together at Chiffa. Is rather a shy bird, but said 

 to do well in captivity. 



28. TuRDUs MERULA, Linn. Blackbird. 

 Common, but very shy. 



29. TuRDUs TORQUATUs, Liuu. Ring-Ouzel. 



At Guelt el Stel. 



