32 Rev. H. B. Tristram's Notes 



64. Enneoctonus rufus. 



The Woodchat is one of the commonest birds of Palestine, 

 frequenting olive-yards a".d gardens. 



65. Garrulus melanocephalus. 



I found this splendid Jay in several localities where there was 

 timber of sufficient size to afford it cover. My examples were 

 shot by my friend Mr. J. L. Gibbs. 



It is difficult to conceive how, with specimens in hand of the 

 diflferent species, the confusion of authors could have arisen 

 as to Garrulus glandarius of Europe, G. melanocephalus of Asia 

 and the Caucasus, and G. cervica/is of Algeria. The smaller 

 size, the darker colouring, the black forehead, deep chestnut 

 neck and collar, the lesser extent of the blue on the scapulars, 

 and the very light brown outer tail-feathers of the Algerian bird, 

 at once separate it from the others. 



Garrulus melanocephalus has not only the rich black feathers 

 extending to the nape of the neck, but has the forehead white 

 instead of spotted, as in our species ; while the black moustache 

 is of twice the extent and breadth, the region behind the eyes 

 is white instead of chestnut, the white on the throat extends 

 much lower down, and the lower plumage is of a much lighter 

 colour. It is probable, then, that the specimens quoted by 

 Degland as from Syria have been Algerian skins passed oflf 

 by the Paris dealers, my skins corresponding, as might have been 

 expected, with the Caucasian bird described by Nordmann. My 

 friend Colonel Drummond, who has frequently shot the Common 

 Jay in Greece, remarks that he never found Garrulus melano- 

 cephalus in that country. 



66. Amydrus tristramti, Sclater. 



This handsome bird, which Mr. Sclater has done me the 

 honour to name after me, and has described in the ' Annals of 

 Natural History ' for December 1858, I discovered in the gorge 

 of the Kedron, not far from the Dead Sea. Several pairs were 

 breeding in the rocks among the cells hewn out by the old 

 monks of Mar Saba. In habits and manners they reminded 

 me somewhat of the Grakles of North America, but seem a 

 strictly desert bird. The species ought to be found at Petra, if 



