Birds from Morocco. G05 



In short this new Shore-Lark seems to partake of the dis- 

 tinguishing characters of both the species just mentioned, 

 although it is perhaps more closely allied to 0. penicillata, as 

 is also O. ehvesi. Iris brown ; bill greyish black ; legs 

 black. Total length about 7 inches, wing 4*45, culmen "60, 

 tarsus "80 in. 



Adult $ . Glaoui, Great Atlas Mts., Marocco. 



General colour as in male, but wanting the black band on 

 fore crown ; the dark cheek-patch but faintly marked ; black 

 liornlets much shorter; lores and narrow streak over base of 

 bill brownish instead of black ; frontal light band soiled 

 yellowish ; crown streaked with dark brown ; hind neck 

 slightly rufescent. Soft parts as in male. Total length 

 about 6 inches, wing 4*10, culmen '50, tarsus '70. 



Of this new Shore-Lark Mr. Dodson obtained only this 

 pair. The accompanying Plate makes the bird appear rather 

 larger than it really is in life, and the legs also are too stout. 



Sturnus vulgaris. 



Four skins of females, from Schaf-el-Akab in March. 



Sturnus unicolor. 



A large series of ^ and ? , some of which, obtained in 

 the months of March, April, and May (beginning) at Fez, 

 Mequinez, and Marocco city, have yelloiv bills, while others 

 obtained towards the end of June at Ras-el-Ain have black 

 bills. There is also a young bird, apparently about a couple 

 of months old, obtained at Marocco city on the 13th May. 



The breeding-season of birds generally in the south of 

 Marocco is, no doubt, an early one, and in the case of the 

 present species I think it probable that it was almost, if not 

 quite, over by the end of June, which would account for 

 specimens obtained then having dark bills. I am confirmed 

 in this opinion by Mr. Dodson, who tells me that he met 

 with flocks of young birds of this species at Ras-el-Ain at 

 the end of June, and concluded that breeding was then quite 

 over. The fact, too, of a young bird, apparently two mouths 

 old, being found on the 13th May would show that the species 

 breeds early. At the same time, however, I must say that 



