Birds from Algeria. 191 



1 have been able to examine very few breeding-birds from 

 Algeria, but from these it appears that the white frontal 

 spot is undoubtedly larger than in European specimens. 

 This spot varies constantly in size, owing to the abrasion 

 of the feathers. As the feathers become abraded the 

 spot enlarges, owing to some of the feathers having only 

 black tips followed by a patch of white, but in European 

 specimens the "white-middled feathers" do not extend far 

 enough to enable abrasion to make the spot so large as in 

 the Algerian breeding-birds which I have examined. 



A^on Erlanger distinguished (J. f. O. 1899, p. 505) the 

 Algerian form of the Pied Flycatcher under the name of 

 Muscicapa atricapilla speculigera (de Selys). 



The specimen which I obtained may have been a migratory 

 bird, as its breeding-organs were undeveloped. 



Carduelis elegans africana. 



Acanthis carduelis africanus Hartert, Vog. pal. Fauna, 

 p. 69. 



$ ad., ? ad. Biskra, March 8 & 9. 



Goldfinches from Algeria are intermediate in size between 

 C. e. parva (the Madeiran race) and typical C. elegans. I do 

 not think that there is any constant difference in coloration 

 between C. e. africana and typical C. carduelis, but the 

 smaller size of the former is important. 



Goldfinches were common at Biskra, and extremely so 

 at H. Meskoutine, where I was continually delighted by 

 meeting with large flocks of these charming Finches. 



Serinus serinus (L.). 



? ad. Biskra, March 6. 



3 ad. H. Meskoutine, March 29. 



The Serin was fairly common in all the districts visited. 



LlGURINUS CHLORIS AURANTI JVENTRIS Cab. 



5 S ad., 1 ? ad. H. Meskoutine, March 17 to April 5. 



This brilliantly coloured form of the Greenfinch was quite 

 the most common bird at H. Meskoutine, and was fairly 

 common at H. B/Hira. A nest contained eggs on April 1. 



