42 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



The Algerian Pied Woodpecker was stated by Malherbe and by 

 Dr. Bolle to occur in the Canaries, but both Canon Tristram and 

 Mr. Godman, when collecting in those islands, met with only D. 

 major, or a form of it, which Dr. Koenig has since distinguished sub- 

 specifically under the name of D. major canariensis (J. f. 0. 1890, 

 p. 3.50). Apparently this form differs from typical D. major (L.) in 

 being darker on the under-parts and in having a stouter bill. I may 

 here observe that Count Arrigoni has recently separated the Sardinian 

 Greater Pied Woodpecker from D. major (L.) under the name of 

 D. major harterti, likewise on account of the dark coloration of its 

 underparts, distinguishing it also from Z). major canariensis, because 

 of its darker ear-coverts and neck patches (Avicula, 1902, p. 103). 

 The dark colouring of the underparts of the Sardinian bird was 

 first pointed out by Mr. Hartert in 1900 (Nov. Zool. vii, p. 528). 

 It would seem to be a constant character in Sardinian birds, 

 and all the specimens I have seen from that island show it, as well 

 as examples from Corsica ; but apparently it is not confined to 

 birds from those islands alone, for I have myself shot similarly 

 plumaged individuals in Piedmont, and it is said to be met with also 

 in specimens from south of the Apennines. The colour is a nut- 

 brown, inclining to chocolate, and differs from the dingy brown, or 

 smoke-grey coloration found in many examples of D. numidicus, from 

 Tunisia, and which, as mentioned above, is probably due to the 

 soiling of the feathers. Another species, or form of the Pied Wood- 

 pecker showing this brown coloration on its underparts, is D. pcehaini 

 (Bogd.) from the Caucasus, but this is a smaller bird than D. major, 

 and apparently differs slightly from it in other respects. 



In Tunisia D. numidicus is most often met with in the high oak- 

 woods near Ghardimaou, El Fedja and Ain-Draham, from all of which 

 districts I have examples of the species. 



With reference to what I have said of some of these being soiled 

 by contact with charred tree-trunks and branches, I may observe that 

 forest-fires were of common occurrence some years ago, both in 

 Tunisia and Algeria, and considerable damage to valuable property 

 was thereby occasioned. Of recent years, however, the French 

 authorities have taken measures to prevent these fires, which, as a 

 rule, were caused by the Arabs, either wilfully, in order to obtain a 

 richer pasturage for their flocks, or out of sheer carelessness. Mr. 

 Aplin, when collecting in the neighbourhood of Ghardimaou and El 



