Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jun., on the Ornithology of Algeria. 79 



they were common. They seem always to be on the look-out 

 from the top of a rock or stone ; if they fly down for an instant, 

 it is only to return to their former elevated position ; but they 

 render themselves conspicuous by this habit. As the eye 

 wanders over the dreary landscape, it is a relief to see them. It 

 is astonishing how far one may see a cock D. leucura spreading 

 his tail upon a grey rock on a bright May morning. This 

 raising the tail at right angles with the back, and spreading it 

 out to its full extent, is the principal amusement of the male in 

 the spring, and of the female also. I have found black and 

 white beetles &c. inside them. 



36. Dromol^a LEUCOPYGiA (Brehm). White-rumped Rock- 

 Chat. 



Common in the oases at Gardaia, not actually in the gardens, 

 but all about the "weds" [i. e. dry rocky watercourses), and on 

 the wells, where I suspect they breed. They also enter the town 

 freely, to perch upon the flat-roofed houses. Their ^flight is 

 slightly undulating. 



37. DromoljEa leucocephala* (Brehm). White-headed 

 Rock-Chat. 



One of these bold and handsome birds flew into the courtyard 

 at Berryan, and, settling upon the floor, began to peck at a 

 rotten pomegranate which I had rejected. In the afternoon he 

 returned again, and took another berry. We afterwards found 

 the species plentiful, in exactly the same localities as D. leuco- 

 pygia ; and, from having killed a brace of the latter with a few 

 white feathers on the head, I should say that these two species 

 are very near akin. 



38. Saxicola philothamna (Tristr.). Bush-Chat. Ibis, 

 i. p. 299, pi. ix. 



Many pairs seen at Tibrem, but never in the stony Chabka 

 Myat. This is a large bird, holds itself upright, and has the 

 habit of raising the tail, common to the rest of the tribe. I did 

 not see them near a dayat, but in the level prairie land, where 

 flocks and herds pasture. From being unmolested they have 

 * [See anteh, p. 53.— Ed.] 



