Bird-Life of Eastern Algeria. 165 



164. Coturnix coturnix coturnix (L.). Quail. 



From April 15 to 22, 1913, a strong migration of Quail 

 was in progress at El Kantara, and great numbers were 

 shot while the corn Avas being cut. Clutches of fresh 

 and incubated eggs were jalso mown out on April 17, and 

 probably many breeding birds are killed at such times. 

 Among a bunch of some fifty birds which I examined on 

 April 16, were one or two birds of the year. In 1914, 

 migration was practically over by April 20. Messrs. 

 Rothschild and Hartert state that this species breeds at 

 least as far south as Batna and Djebcl Mahmel, but it also 

 nests commonly at El Outaia, and I have seen fresh eggs 

 taken at Biskra on April 22 (J ) . 



165. Rallus aquaticus aquaticus L. Water-Eail. 



At Lac Fetzara, April 11, 1911 (W). [^Purzana porzana 

 (L.) was also met with in the Tunis market on March 7 , 

 1906 (VV).] 



166.' Crex crex crex L, Corncrake. 



A few pass through on migration with the Quail, 

 Several were shot at El Outaia on April 16^ and one on 

 April 21 (J). 



167. Gallinula chloropus chloropus (L.). Waterhen. 



One seen on a tiny reed-covered pool near the Oued El 

 Kantara on April 29 (J). None seen on Lac Fetzara, but 

 a clutch of seven incubated eggs were brought in by an Arab 

 from the west side of the lake on May 15 (R). 



168. Fulica atra atra (L.). Coot. 



Breeds in enormous numbers at Lac Fetzara, where the 

 Arabs collect thousands of eggs for food. In consequence, 

 most of the nests seen on May 1, and even later, contained 

 from one to three eggs, and only a few had full clutches. 

 Although some clutches have dark red-brown spots, instead 

 of the usual blackish markings, there seems to be no 

 evidence that F. cristata breeds on the Lake (J, W, R). 



