1917-] '^^ Birds of Yemen. 135 



of Mount Bura, about 5000 feet above sea-level. This 

 district is well wooded and — politically speakiug — fairly 

 quiet, but the only feasible routes pass through disturbed 

 areas, and were definitely closed during and after the 

 summer of 1913 ; coffee comes down at irregular intervals 

 fi-om there to Hodeida by favour of the local freebootei's. 

 The Sheikh of Bura is a highly respectable and affable old 

 man. Any European who can get to the top of Mount 

 Bura with proper introductions would prol)ably be well 

 received. It has already been visited by European sports- 

 men. 



Far to the south of Bura may be seen the long razor- 

 backed ridge of Reima. This range has been the scene of 

 much discontent and turbulence for the last year or so. 

 The disturbance is due to taxation and may become chronic. 

 " Pheasants'' are said to occur on Reima, but the local 

 word "akyal " is so loosely applied to any long-tailed bird of 

 bright plumage that their quest is uncertain. 



Hajeilah is a small township about 30 miles from Bajil, 

 and 2080 feet above sea-level. The district is agricultural, 

 and there are groves of tall timber between the adjacent 

 foot-hills. There, Guinea-fowl and most of the bird-life of 

 the neighbouihood are to be found. Reckless and un- 

 checked wood-cutting is gradually destroying natural cover, 

 as in other parts of Yaraen. 



The crops in the Hejjan valley are useful beats for small 

 birds, but the Hajeilah population is churlish to strangers, 

 though apt to improve on acquaintance. 



Tiic Hajeilah '^grouse" occurs rarely and only on the 

 stony slopes of the foot-hills. Here Guinea-fowl and 

 Chikore may be heard calling simultaneously, the former 

 from some fold of the foot-hills and the latter from the 

 heights running up towards Menakha ridge. 



The long-tailed Coracias abyss'mus occurs frequently in 

 this district, but no higher, and this is also the highest limit 

 of the Horubills. 



The road up from Hajeilah lies along the stony gorge of 

 the Hejjan, and, among its bushes, the Paradise Flycatcher 



