Birds of the Province of Constantine. 571 



plumage is considerably paler in abraded specimens of both 

 males and females, being in some cases almost buff. The 

 measurements of eight specimens vary as follows : — Length 

 of wing 2-65 to 2-37 inches, tail 2-1 to 1-75, culmen 0*5 to 

 •45, tarsus lo to 'Q7. 



MOTACILLA FLAVA. 



It was only in the oases of Biskra and El Kantara that we 

 met with the Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail. They were in 

 flocks in and round the barley-fields and near the little pools, 

 and apparently on migration. A specimen I secured is very 

 dark on the head, and might almost be referred to the nearly 

 allied M. viridis, were it not for the white eye-stripe. 



Anthus campestris. 



We only observed the Tawny Pipit in the country round 

 Batna and Lambessa. In the fields on the road between these 

 two places it was very common. One specimen I shot is very 

 yellow on the throat. 



Anthus aquaticus. 



I saw at Biskra, on the banks of the Oued Biskra, a pair 

 of birds which I have little doubt were Water-Pipits. 



Anthus pratensis. 



We occasionally met with the Meadow-Pipit in swampy 

 places near water. I observed this species at Biskra. 



Alauda arvensis. 



It was only round Batna that the unmistakable trills of 

 the Skylark lent an English charm to the landscape. Even 

 here it was scarce, and usually found in the meadows and 

 barley-fields. 



Alauda arborea. 



We found the Wood-Lark very sparingly in the evergreen- 

 oak forests on the hills west of Batna. 



Alauda magna. 



The pale form of the Crested Lark is a common bird from 

 the coast to Biskra, becoming more numerous, perhaps, south 

 of Constantine. 



