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Mr. T. H. Newman,



enjoying the hot sunshine and, later in the day, I saw three

others. In the afternoon I saw Algerian Chaffinches, some dark-

coloured Crested Larks, which I think were the Greater Small-

billed Crested Lark. In some bushes I came across a party of

three Dusky Bulbuls (Pycnonotus barba/us) : I was very pleased

to meet with this bird again, this was the only place where I had

seen it before, at a spot about a mile away from these present

birds. While I was watching them one flew on to the tall flower

spike of a large Asphodel—which is such a conspicuous plant

all over the country—and began to pluck and swallow one after

another about a dozen of the pinkish-white blossoms; this was

very likely for the honey they contained, as I found them very

sweet to the last. On my return I saw five or six of these birds

about the same place, I also saw a flock of Linnets on the ground.

Two Hoopoes were flying over the Olive trees ; a pair of Barbary

Partridges, which are very common here, flew whirring away.

Small birds were most numerous, every tree seemed to have a

flock, but they were all of the species I have already mentioned

as far as I could see.


I must not forget to mention, that I think I again saw the

Algerian Coal Titmouse at Hammam Meskontine; this bird is of

especial interest just at present as it is the form which seems to

some nearest to the recently described Irish Coal Titmouse (Panis

hibetnicies'), both birds having the cheeks, nucal spot, breast and

belly strongly washed with mustard yellow, but the Algerian bird

has the sides of the body and flanks greyish, these parts being

cinnamon in the Irish form.


During a short walk next morning I again saw plenty of

birds, including several species of Warblers and some Sparrows,

a couple of Starlings, whick I think belonged to the common

species, but as they were flying between me and the sun, I could

not make out their markings; but the finest sight was a magnifi¬

cent Serpent Eagle (Circaetus gallicus ) which rose above the Olive

trees close to me with about a foot of Snake hanging from its

bill ; as it soared rapidly upwards the Snake gradually disappeared

down the Eagle’s throat. Birds of Prey are numerous in this

neighbourhood ; Mr. Meade-Waldo told me he had seen ten

different species in one Gorge when riding through. With much

regret I left Hammam Meskontine a little before midday, arriving



