114 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



examples of the bird from Arab sportsmen, and occasionally meets 

 with one exposed for sale in the Tunis market. Regarding its 

 occurrence in the south of the Eegency I have no information, the 

 most southern district where I have met with the species being that 

 of Feriana, within a short distance of which Aleppo pine woods occur. 

 In Algeria, where the Serpent-Eagle seems to be generally abundant, 

 Canon Tristram appears to have met with the species as far south 

 as the desert of Souf. It is equally numerous in Marocco, and is 

 said to have been obtained in Senegal, while in some parts of Spain it 

 is a common species, and apparently resident to a great extent. 



In the localities it frequents, as also in its appearance, flight and 

 habits, Circaetus gallicus seems to resemble the Buzzards more than 

 the Eagles. Its flight, as a rule, is slow and heavy, though at times 

 it may be observed soaring in graceful circles at a considerable 

 altitude. It is far from shy, being perhaps the most fearless of all 

 Eaptores, and may be described as foolishly tame, for it will allow 

 a man to walk up to it within easy gunshot. I have more than 

 once approached these birds within full view of them as they perched 

 on a telegraph post or hayrick. They seem particularly fond of 

 perching on telegraph posts, and if undisturbed will remain motionless 

 in such positions for a considerable length of time, and in an attitude 

 of dignified repose. 



Though undoubtedly fond of the neighbourhood of woods and 

 forests, the species is also constantly to be found frequenting open 

 plains and rocky broken country, where its favourite food abounds. 

 It may also frequently be met with in the vicinity of marshy land, 

 where frogs and other small amphibians are plentiful. Lizards and 

 snakes, however, seem to form its chief food, but the species occa- 

 sionally preys upon small mammals and birds, and it is said to eat 

 locusts and other insects. Mr. H. F. Witherby informs me that he 

 has found in the crop of one of these birds a small snake, which had 

 been swallowed whole. Baron v. Erlanger relates the somewhat 

 strange case of a young bird of this species, which he had taken 

 from the nest, and which curiously enough would not touch lizards 

 or snakes, but eagerly devoured freshly-killed birds. 



The Serpent-Eagle is said to be very noisy at times, particularly 

 during the breeding-season, when its loud and harsh note may often 

 be heard. 



The breeding-season of this species commences towards the end 



