9G BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



This is undoubtedly the commonest of all the Harriers found in 

 Tunisia, being particularly abundant during the periods of migration, 

 when considerable numbers of the species may sometimes be observed 

 together. It occurs also, though more sparingly, throughout the 

 Regency during the winter months, and probably breeds in some 

 parts of the north. 



Loche states that it is tolerably common in Algeria, and that 

 although he had never actually found its nest, he had met with young 

 birds of the species which nnist have been bred in the country. In 

 Marocco Favier records it as occurring on passage near Tangier. The 

 species appears to be not uncommon in Southern Italy and other 

 Mediterranean countries, being more plentiful to the east than it is 

 to the west. 



In its general habits the Pallid Harrier is considered to resemble 

 the Hen-Harrier to a great extent, and like that bird is sometimes to 

 be found hunting for its food in localities far distant from water. 

 Cornfields and bush-covered plains in Tunisia are much frequented 

 by this bird, but marshes and fens are always its chief haunts. 



In its flight and food it does not differ from other Harriers, and its 

 nest and eggs are said to resemble those of C. jnj^iargus. 



BUTEO BUTEO (Linnaeus). 

 CO:\rMON BUZZARD. 



Falco buteo, Linn. Si/st. Nat. i, p. 127 (176G). 



Buteo vulgaris, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. i, p. 18G ; Mallierbe, Faune 



Orn. de l'Al,j. p. 8 (1855) ; Kocnig, J./. 0. 1892, p. 34G. 

 Buteo cinereus, Loclie, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 41 (1867) ; Koenicj, J.f. 0. 



1888, p. 140. 



Description. — KdiaXi male, winter, from Italy. 



Upper parts dark brown, with a slight admixture of buff ou the feathers 

 of the nape ; quills blackish at the tips and grey on the outer web, the basal 

 half of the inner web being white slightly barred with brown ; tail-feathers 

 brownish-grey, closely barred with dark brown and broadly tipped with a 

 band of the same colour, edged with buff, the outer rectrices with some 

 white on their inner webs; chin, throat and entire breast dark brown, 

 some of the feathers being slightly margined with whitish ; abdomen buffy- 



