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CHOUGH. 57D 
in that portion of the Aurés known as the ‘ Cedar range,’ south-west of 
Batna. This colony had its headquarters at the very summit of one of the 
highest mountains, in a ridge of rocks commanding a fine view of the 
forest-clad hills. As we slowly rode up the steep path on our mules, 
the report of our guns as we occasionally secured a specimen of some 
bird startled the Choughs from their nests in the rocks far above us, 
and they commenced circling about in the air, displaying great powers of 
flight ; and their shrill notes resounded through the woods, echoing again 
amongst the rocks. I now and again saw them alight upon the little 
open spaces of herbage, searching amongst dung for insects and beetles. 
Although living amidst the cedar-forests, I never noticed the birds alight 
in the branches, but always on the rock-shelves, or in the crevices, in which 
they doubtless build their nests. It should be mentioned that the Jack- 
daw is very rare in both the localities above mentioned ; and it may be that 
bird's abundance at Constantine that explains the Chough’s absence.” 
When I was at St. Jean de Luz last spring with my friend Howard 
Saunders, we drove about five miles to the base of the steep part of the 
hill, and then, leaving our conveyance, we proceeded on foot. We soon 
entered the clouds that enveloped the mountain; and after a long and 
tedious walk winding along a mule-track through the “Scotch mist” or 
sea-fog, we at length found ourselves on the top of la Petite Rhune in 
brilliant sunshine. The most interesting birds were the Choughs, which 
did not seem to be very rare. We very frequently heard their notes—a 
Jackdaw-like cry like khée'-6, khéé'-6. We had no chance of a shot at 
them : they were very wild, and flitted about the rocks far away beyond 
range; they would not allow us to come near them, though they never 
took long flights. When they did fly, they moved their wings somewhat 
irregularly and rapidly, as if their bodies were heavy, the exact opposite of 
the Kite, which we had watched at intervals on the same ascent. On the 
rocks their movements were light enough, toying with each other and 
sometimes tumbling over each other like big black butterflies at play. 
The Chough, like the Rook, leaves its roosting-place early in the 
morning, and repairs to the neighbouring pastures in search of food, some- 
times even being seen to follow the plough to pick up worms and grubs. 
It is always a restless and a wary bird, never remaining long in one spot, 
but shifting its ground in short uncertain flights. Upon the ground it 
walks about like a Rook, often mingling amongst the browsing sheep 
and cattle, and turning over their droppings in search of insects or 
grain. 
The food of the Chough consists of beetles, the various animals to be 
obtained on the shore, worms, grubs, caterpillars, berries, grain, and even, 
it is said, carrion, although we have no direct evidence to prove that 
such is really the case. Ney" 
“Pe 
