98 Mr, J. I, S. Whitaker on Tunisian Birds. 



identity. It is possible tliey may be hybrids, either between 

 P. domesticus and P. salicicola, or between P. domesticus and 

 P. italia, most likely the former, one of the specimens 

 showing the dark back of P. salicicola. As mentioned in 

 my previous notes, P. salicicola is common in the Regency. 



41. Passer domesticus. 



I obtained specimens of this species at Feriana and other 

 places. 



42. LOXIA CURVIROSTRA. 



I obtained specimens of the Common Crossbill, both ^J 

 and ? , in the pine- woods north o£ Feriana, but nowhere 

 else, and do not think it is widely distributed throughout 

 the Regency. I should, however, conclude that it breeds 

 there, as I found the species in pairs at the end of March. 



43. Emberiza CIA. (B. M. Cat. B. xii. p. 537.) 

 The Meadow-Bunting I obtained near Tunis. 



44. Chersophilus margarit^ (Koenig). 



I obtained a single specimen, a male, of this somewhat 

 rare species, which may perhaps be called the Tunisian form 

 of C. duponti, near Saharidj, about halfway between Feriana 

 and Gafsa. Dr. Sliarpe (Cat. B. xiii. p. 526) has united it 

 to C. duponti ; but it seems to differ from the Algerian form 

 in the colouring of its plumage, being somewhat paler and 

 more rufous, particularly on the back, which in C. duponti 

 has a black-brown shade, entirely absent in C. margaritce. 

 The whitish fringe of the back-feathers is also more pro- 

 nounced, giving the bird a decided mottled aj)pearance. I 

 have not been able to compare my specimen, and others that 

 I have from Tunis, with the Spanish form of C. duponti. 



Although the species is no doubt rather a rare one, and 

 specimens of it are not often obtained, I am inclined to 

 think that it is not quite so uncommon as it is generally 

 supposed to be, and that it is owing to the extraordinary 

 capacity the bird has of hiding itself that it escapes notice 

 and is not more often got. 



My friend Dr. Abelli, a careful observer, who was travel- 



