Introdtiction xiii. 



of the Larks, should bear what may be called distinctly protectively 

 coloured plumage, while the other, that of the Chats, except in a few 

 instances, is more or less conspicuously attired, particularly in the 

 case of the males. It will, however, be found that these conspicuously 

 attired species of Chats frequent, as a rule, rocky and broken ground, 

 full of dark clefts and fissures, where a strongly-marked plumage is 

 really far less conspicuous than a uniform light-coloured one would 

 be, thus Saxicola Iciiciira or Saxicola hcdophlla are very much less in 

 evidence in such spots than Saxicola isabelliiia or Saxicola deserti 

 would be. Even between the rock-frequenting Chats, moreover, there 

 is a difference in plumage, according to the particular character of 

 their habitat, for instance, the favourite haunts of Saxicola leucura 

 are dark mountain ravines and chasms strewn with black rocks and 

 boulders, while those of Saxicola halophila, although also very rocky 

 and broken, are less dark and gloomy, and often, on the contrary, as in 

 the Metlaoui district, where the species is particularly abundant, of a 

 glistening white, relieved by numerous deep cracks and fissures, the 

 general environment harmonising wonderfully in appearance with that 

 of this bird's plumage. 



As is the case with several other species of birds, the females of 

 most of the Chats are more soberly coloured than the males, and con- 

 sequently escape notice to a great extent. 



The necessity of protective colouring is undoubtedly great in a 

 country like Southern Tunisia, where the scanty vegetation affords 

 but little shelter to its feathered denizens. Hence we find that the 

 plumage of most of the species resident in those desert or semi-desert 

 regions harmonises with the sandy coloration of the soil and environ- 

 ment. The Ravens, it is true, do not do so, but they frequent for the 

 most part cliffs and rocky localities, and their case appears to be 

 analogous to that of the rock-frequenting Chats. 



The Birds of Prey may be reckoned as next in importance to the 

 Larks and Chats among the Tunisian Avifauna. Including both 

 diurnal and nocturnal species, these number over forty, many being 

 plentiful in some parts of the Regency, others less so, while a few 

 are distinctly rare. In some localities Birds of Prey are not at all 

 common, and it is a mistake to suppose that the Baptores are equally 

 distributed and generally abundant throughout Tunisia. 



Of other birds found in Tunisia the following are fairly well repre- 

 sented, iriz., the Warblers, Wagtails, Pipits, Shrikes, Swallows, Finches, 



