xiv. Introduction 



Crows, Swifts, Nightjars, Doves and Sand-Grouse. The Herodii and 

 many of fheAnseres, Grallcv and Limicolce, are also well represented in 

 the north of the Regency, particularly in winter. The Gavice are 

 equally numerous, not only in the north but also in the south of the 

 Eegency, and many members of the Order breed in the country. 



Among the species or forms most noteworthy individually may be 

 mentioned the following: Saxicolu caterlnce, Sa.ricola moesfa, Saxlcola 

 halophila, Dipluotocus monssieri, Melkophiliis descrticolus, Argrja 

 fidva, Scotocerca saharce, Panis ledouci, Parus iiltraniarinus, 

 Pycnonotus barbatus, Lanius elegans, Lanius algeriensis, Teleplionus 

 cucullatus. Passer simplex, Fringilla spodiogenijs, Erythrosplza githa- 

 ginea, Loxia cnrvirostra polioggna, Chersophilus duponti, Chersophilus 

 dupontl viargarit(F, Galerida cristata macrorhyncha, Galerida cristata 

 arenicola, Galerida theklce major, Galerida theklce siiperflua, Galerida 

 thehlm deichleri, Galerida thehla Carolina;, Ammomanes deserti 

 algeriensis, Ammomanes cinctura arenicola, Bhamphocorys clotbey, 

 Otocorys bilopha, Garrulus cervicalis, Pica mauritanica, Corviis 

 corax tingitanus, Corvus umbriniis, Cypselus mnrinus, Cypselus affinis 

 galilejensis, Dendrocopus numidicus, Gecinus vaillanti, Bubo ascala- 

 phiis desertorum, Gypaetus barbatus, Falco barbarus, Falco eleonorce, 

 Phcenicopterus roseus, Turtur senegalensis, Pterocles coronatas, Pterocles 

 scnegalus, Turnix sylvatica, Porphyria cierulcus, Porphyriola alleni, 

 Otis undulata, Cursorius gallicus, Sterna dougalli, and Larus audouini. 

 Although the present work purports to be merely a history of the 

 birds noticed in Tunisia, and of their lives as observed in that country, 

 I have thought it advisable, when possible, to allude to the occurrence 

 of the various species also in Algeria and Marocco, as likewise, in some 

 cases, in Tripoli and in the Mediterranean basin generally. Italy and 

 particularly Sicily, so near the North-west African coast, are constantly 

 referred to in the pages of this book, the latter island, my winter 

 home, having afforded me considerable opportunity for the observa- 

 tion and study of Mediterranean bird-life. 



Regarding the migration of birds as noticed in Tunisia, space will 

 not allow of my saying more than a few words here, but I may briefly 

 remark that few countries are, geographically, so favourably situated 

 as the Regency for the observation of this important instinct. Placed 

 as Tunisia is at the extreme eastern corner of this portion of North- 

 west Africa, and with its relatively long stretch of coast-line extending 

 northwards from Tripoli, it may be considered as one of the main 



