156 Rev. H. B. Tristram on the 



said to be from the East. It is very closely allied to Hippolais 

 salicaria, but has no tinge of yellow on its plumage. The nest, 

 larger than that of its congener, and of rather different con- 

 struction, I first found on this occasion, and have since fre- 

 quently taken in Algeria ; while the eggs are of a delicate pale 

 "mauve" colour, spotted and streaked with dark russet. They 

 are always larger than those of Hippolais salicaria. It builds on 

 trees about six feet from the ground, preferring, as far as I have 

 observed, the smooth branches of the olive or tamarisk, and is 

 very easily discovered. My curiosity was excited by my com- 

 panion's information that the Pallid Warbler was much larger 

 and of a darker colour on the hill- sides than in the marshes; 

 and, anxious to investigate the truth of his story, we left the plain 

 at once for the wood (chiefly wild olives) which skirts the forest 

 of Koleah. Here we found the Serin Finch already sitting, — its 

 nest very like that of the Goldfinch, but scarcely so deep, smaller, 

 and more warmly lined. There are few songsters to be com- 

 pared for clearness of note to the Serin, which in Algeria is 

 often tamed, and breeds freely in confinement. It is, I believe, 

 a migrant here. While searching in the open wood, I was 

 startled by a long-tailed blue bird, which I felt certain at once 

 must be the Blue Magpie [Pica cooki). Not having heard of 

 it as an inhabitant of Algeria, I went eagerly in pursuit, and 

 again and again caught sight of it, but never within shot. It 

 was wild and wary, but took no long flights. I do not feel 

 the slightest doubt as to its being the Blue Magpie of Spain, 

 probably only a straggler. The chase had led me some three 

 miles up the hills, when I lost all trace of the bird, and was 

 fain to wind my way back to camp, as I had left my companion 

 below. Howevex*, on the way I shot Sylvia olivetorum, and 

 thus solved the mystery of the large Pallid Warbler. There 

 were several birds ; and I afterwards obtained a nest. The 

 eggs are exactly like those of S. pallida or ela'ica in colour, but 

 larger, and the nest is much inferior in neatness. A month 

 afterwards I took a nest of this bird placed near the ground in 

 brushwood. It appears to select a lower site for nidification 

 than its congeners. 



On reachinsr the tent I found several nests of eggs awaiting 



