364 Rev. H. B. Tristram's Notes from Eastern Algeria. 



(Hammam) have been constructed. Before reaching them we 

 passed the cliflfs vv^here we had vainly besieged the Lammer- 

 geyers, and a long piece of rope swinging in mid air from a 

 projecting peak of rock still told the tale of our unsuccessful 

 assault. 



Soon afterwards, on entering a more wooded part of the road, 

 •A large Eagle settled among some trees under the rocks. Dis- 

 mounting I crept up to the spot, and had the satisfaction of 

 watching a fine Imperial Eagle, who plainly exhibited the white 

 feathers of the shoulder. The nest hard by was placed on the 

 flat projecting branch of a great oak-tree growing out of the 

 ridge. It was at least a yard in diameter, composed of sticks, 

 with a few finer twigs by way of lining. The two eggs which I 

 obtained were hard set, and but poorly marked with a few dull- 

 red spots. I have never seen any eggs of the Imperial Eagle 

 w^hich at all approach the richer varieties of those of the Golden 

 Eagle in ground-colour or markings. 



Beyond the Hammam Weled Zeid, which we did not reach 

 till nearly noon, was an Arab tribe where Salah had acquaint- 

 ance, from whom he promised eggs and barley-cake if I could 

 wait for an hour. I sat down on the bank side, letting my 

 horse graze under the trees, and seldom have I enjoyed a 

 more lovely view. The scenery was not grand, but exquisitely 

 rich. Below me, the steaming little torrent of warm water 

 was dashing into the deep glen. The sides of it were clad with 

 pear-trees, figs, wild prunes, and hawthorn, all in full blossom. 

 The sun was bright, the sky cloudless and of the deepest blue, 

 the air charged with the perfume of jasmine, rose, hawthorn, and 

 scented genista. There was nothing in the scenery to astonish, 

 but all was soft, luxuriant, and English. Dreaming of home, 

 I was roused from my reverie by a familiar note, the quickly 

 repeated chirrup of Moussier's Redstart [Ruticilla mozissieri) 

 (Plate XI.), so well described by its native name of ' Zinzukh.' I 

 soon descried my little friend, perched like a Stonechat upon the 

 topmost quivering bough of a small Numidian broom, as, regard- 

 less of my presence, he turned himself round and round on his 

 perch, and performed various somersaults, to exhibit his rich and 

 softly blended plumage, continuing the while his cheerful though 



