Birds of the Province of Constantine. 555 



his bewildered vision. Here in great luxuriance grow the 

 date-palms (at their northern limit), figs, prickly pears (now 

 in bloom), various species of lemons, oranges, and apricots, 

 together with other luscious fruits, notably the pomegranate, 

 the rich scarlet flowers of which are now in full bloom. 

 After leaving El Kantara, the road is through a desert country 

 with scarcely a trace of vegetation. We crossed a wide, deso- 

 late, stony plain, from which the " Rocher de Sel " appears in 

 sight, forming its south-eastern boundary. On each side of 

 us were sand hills ; and in places the ground was white with 

 saltpetre. Then we passed the fertile plain of El Outaia, in 

 which is the oasis bearing that name, and our last halting- 

 place ere reaching Biskra. This oasis is chiefly tenanted by 

 Arabs ; but the date-palms here are only small, and vegetation 

 is not so luxuriant as at El Kantara. Here Mr. Elwes shot a 

 fine specimen of the Marsh-Sandpiper, as it glided like a 

 shadow over a little pool almost wrapt in gloom. From El 

 Outaia to Biskra the country, when the plain is crossed, is 

 little else but desert, composed of sand hills and limestone 

 ranges. The road now became worse at every step; but the 

 moon soon rose, and lessened the dangers of travelling. At 

 last this barren tract was crossed, and the rocky descent into 

 Biskra was made, where we arrived about eleven o^clock. In 

 the beautiful oasis of Biskra tropical verdure grows most luxu- 

 riantly, in wonderful contrast to the dry and arid mountains 

 that hem it in on three sides, and the lone Sahara on the 

 fourth. In the ruins of what had once been an attempt to 

 establish a government garden here, we found a paradise for 

 birds. Gorgeous Bee -eaters uttered their plaintive notes as 

 they sat basking on the tree-tops ; gaudy Orioles and Shrikes 

 fluttered through the dense vegetation ; and, near the waters. 

 Crakes and Waders skulked amongst the reeds. In the fea- 

 thery crowns of the palms Turtle Doves nestled, whilst Bush- 

 Babblers, Warblers, and Flycatchers flitted to and fro in 

 restless flight ; and the air was full of Swallows and Swifts 

 busy in search of insect food. The following day we ex- 

 plored a piece of desert country, and succeeded in obtaining, 

 amongst other birds, a pair of Pied Chats and one or two 



