in the Eastern Atlas. 183 



The first nest of this species we obtained was brought from 

 Blad el Elma, a village to the south of Djebel Dekma ; it con- 

 tained two eggs, both which had been incubated some time, so 

 that the long bare tarsi and large eyes of the embryo left little 

 doubt as to the identity of the species. Of these eggs one had 

 slight indications of colouring, a feature I have never observed 

 in other specimens. The eggs are usually deposited in March ; 

 but some birds defer laying till April. The Arabs call this bird 

 the "White ^3ig\e"—" Hoc/arb abiad." 



10. Pandion haliaetus. (Osprey.) 



In the lagoon of El Baheira, a number of posts are fixed 

 to direct the boats that ply between Tunis and La Goletta. 

 These are the favourite perches of several Ospreys, which 

 during the winter months fish in the lagoon, and retire to these 

 posts to feed on and digest their prey. While at Bona, I saw 

 one bird flying along the sea-coast. 



11. BuTEO TACHARDUs. Buteo cirtensis, Levaill., jun. (The 

 African Buzzard.) 



This species is by no means common in the district where 

 other rapacious birds so abound. I have but few instances of 

 its occurrence noted. One of these was at Khifan M'sakta, 

 where a pair had their nest. On another occasion I saw two in 

 a rocky pass near Has el Alia. Subsequently Mr. Simpson shot 

 one near the salt lake of Guerah el Tharf. The eggs, as might 

 be expected, differ immaterially from those of the Common Buz- 

 zard {Buteo vulgaris). 



12. MiLVUs REGALis. (Commou Kite.) 



For the most part, we found the nests of the Kite were much 

 dispersed ; I have no instance noted of more than a pair occu- 

 pying one cliff. When in a rock, they were usually placed where 

 a small tree or shrub grew out of a crack. Such was the case 

 at Djebel Dekma, Khifan M'sakta, and Kef Laks, with a single 

 exception. In this case the nest was in a hole in the precipice 

 that forms the western termination of Djebel Dekma. The 

 young in this nest were hatched in the first week in April. 

 About the Ouled Zeid countiy, north of Souk Harras, the nests 

 were usually in trees. Nearly all the eggs we obtained were 



o2 



