560 Mr. C. Dixon on the 



we wentj both in the oases and the wooded districts. It was 

 by far most common in the cedar forests. 



MeROPS APIASTER. 



The Bee-eater was met with sparingly at Constantine, in 

 the evergreen-oak forests between Oued Taga and Lambessa^ 

 and in the oases of El Kantara and Biskra^ most numerous 

 in the latter. They were flying in pairs, and somewhat shy. 

 Their flight is a peculiarly graceful and gliding one, and 

 their note a long-drawn plaintive whistle. 



Merops persicus. 



I observed a pair of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters at Biskra. 

 They were mingling Avith the common species ; but their 

 flight was certainly difl"erent. It was a pretty sight to see 

 both these species slowly gliding over the crowns of the date- 

 palms like Swifts, their marked difi'erence of plumage coming 

 out in rich contrast in the bi'illiant sunshine. 



CoRACIAS GARRULUS. 



The Roller appears to prefer the upland districts. We 

 met with it very abundantly in the evergreen-oak forests, 

 and also amongst the cedars. One of the gayest birds of the 

 country, it is a shy and wary one, and generally takes wing 

 just before you are within gunshot. The birds had evidently 

 not commenced breeding, although invariably in pairs. 



Upupa epops. 



We met with the Hoopoe wherever we went after reaching 

 Batna. Its soft and hollow note of poo-poo-poo might be 

 heard in the most desolate mountain-heights. We heard it 

 crying in the solitudes of Djebel Mahmel, in the barren 

 wilderness that skirts the road in places between El Kantara 

 and Biskra, and amongst the luxuriant vegetation in the 

 oases. Although by far most frequently seen upon the 

 ground, still, when alarmed, it seeks the trees and bushes, 

 and is one of the wariest of birds, far more often heard than 

 seen. 



Cypselus apus. 



Everywhere fairly common, except in the most desert and 



