90 THE NATURALIST. 



annoyance ; indeed it is wonderful how the little bird could have lived with 

 two such monsters continually draining its system. 



Fringilla citrinella, Lin. This bird was not so common as the pre- 

 ceding, but still by no means rare, frequenting gardens, where it seemed 

 to be very fond of selecting some old lichen-covered olive tree, in which 

 it would repeat over and over again its simi^le song. 



Hirimdo rupestris, Scop. This very distinct species I observed several 

 times in large flocks flying above the swampy valleys near Coina and 

 Moita, and succeeded in securing several examples. During clear fine 

 weather they kept very high, but on the approach of rain descended, 

 and I then very often noticed them skimming over the surface of the 

 water, every now and then dipping in, more for the purpose of securing a 

 fly which might be floating on the stream than for the pleasure of a bath. 

 In October and November, 1862, 1 recollect seeing them in great profusion 

 flying about the rock of Gibraltar. 



Hirundo rustica, Lin. Many individuals of this species made their 

 appearance about the middle of February in the same localities as the 

 preceding, and most probably as the season advanced proceeded on their" 

 journey northward. This bird, as well as Cypsehts apus, Illig., was 

 frequent at Madeira, in December, 1863, flying over the town of Funchal. 



NOTES ON THE NATUEAL HISTOEY OF BAEBAEY. 



By F. Brittain, Esq. 



Tangiers, 28th May, 1864. 



Dear Sir, — I have now the pleasure of sending you a list of the rare 

 Birds and Coleoptera that are found in the North of Barbary, as far as I 

 have been able to ascertain them. I could give you very little information 

 respecting the Lepidoptera and Diptera, and therefore postpone writing 

 about them till another time. As from a bare list of i^lants, birds, and 

 insects you would be able to form but a poor idea of this charming country, 

 I shall give you a short account of one of my rambles in the neighbour- 

 hood of Tangiers. 



On a delightful sunny morning in the end of May, I left Tangiers 

 with Hamet, the Moorish guide, intending to follow no beaten track, but 

 go where the country was the most inviting, and the vegetation the most 

 luxuriant. We passed over a hilly sandy country which offered few attrac- 



