146 



ORIGINAL MEMBERS. 



Tristram, already in North Africa. Tiie three met at Tunis, 

 and some time was spent in that highly interesting country, 

 where archaeology and ornithology were alternately in the 

 ascendant. As matters turned ou^t, the sojourn in Tunisia 

 was longer than expected, since Tristram, intending merely 

 to take a coasting-trip, was driven out to sea by stress 

 of weather, and ultimately reached Malta, where he was 

 detained some time for want of shipping. 



Thus it was not until the latter end of March that the 

 " caravan " started for Algeria, via the famous valley of 

 Roman ruins, to Kef, and thence over the somewhat lawless 

 borderland to Souk-harras in the province of Constantine. 

 From the day of their leaving Souk-harras, very early in 

 April, to the day of their arrival at Constantine, towards the 

 end of June, the party dwelt constantly in tents, and travelled 

 on horseback from place to place. From an ornithological 

 point of view the country was almost a virgin one, and 

 especially the upper valley of the Medjei'dah, where opera- 

 tions first commenced. The country was alive Avith birds of 

 prey, from the stately Griffon to the querulous Black Kite, 

 and other birds were equally interesting and demonstrative. 

 The wretched "Colon''' had not yet potted everything, and 

 there were even lions, long since extinct, for the followers of 

 Jules Gerard to pursue. 



Added to these attractions, there was a delightful climate 

 and, in many places, most impressive rock-scenery — fitting 

 homes for the larger llaptorials. So far from being a dried- 

 up country, these green highlands of Old Numidia afforded 

 excellent turf for a good gallop, and one could easily under- 

 stand why the forces of Massinissa and Jugurtha were so 

 strong in cavalry. True, when this style of country is left, 

 to the north you reach the great Sebkahs, vast evaporating 

 basins, which in spring still afford water for innumerable 

 wild-fowl and waders. This, too, is the laud of the Houbara 

 Bustard and Sand-Grouse, but those who intend to gallop 

 must beware of the holes made by the small rodents in the 

 dry plains that surround the Sebkahs. Ain Zana was the 

 last place visited by the party, and the wealth of this extra- 

 ordinary spot, especially in ducks, waders, &c., can only be 



