2 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



though probably a resident, as well as, to a certain extent, a migratory 

 species. 



In Tunisia I met with this Thrush at Bou-Chebka, and at 

 El-Oubira, both localities situated in the extreme west of the Central 

 Eegion, and not far from the Algerio-Tunisian frontier. These high 

 plateau districts, which are covered in great part with woods of Aleppo 

 Pine (P. halepensis, Desf.), have an altitude of between 3,000 and 

 4,000 feet above sea-level, and according to the resident forest guards, 

 whom I interrogated on the subject, are never excessively hot, even 

 in the middle of summer. This I can well believe, having myself, 

 when travelling in that neighbourhood in the late spring, found the 

 teiuperature delightfully cool during the day-time and decidedly cold 

 at night. Meeting with the Mistle-Thrush in the above districts so 

 late as the end of April, I concluded that the species probably bred 

 there, and this fact has since been confirmed by Baron v. Erlanger, 

 who obtained its nest and eggs at Ain-Bou-Dries, an adjacent locality 

 (/. /. 0. 1899, p. 249). This nest was taken as late as June 18th, 

 and the eggs were no doubt of a second laying. 



Although a resident and breeding species in Tunisia, the Mistle- 

 Thrush no doubt also occurs in the Eegency as a migrant in winter, 

 and may probably, in severe seasons, be fairly numerous in the more 

 hilly and wooded parts. Essentially a tree-loving species, it is rarely 

 to be found far from woods or gardens, and although naturally one 

 of the most wary and suspicious of birds, it affects the neighbourhood 

 of human habitations with the utmost self-assurance and temerity, 

 feeding on the berries of bushes adjoining houses, and even venturing 

 within a few feet of an open window. In order, however, to form an 

 opinion of its extreme vigilance and caution, one has only to watch 

 one of these birds when feeding in a field or on a grass plot. Need- 

 less to say, prior to visiting any spot, the bird will have scanned the 

 surroundings carefully, to be sure that the coast is clear ; but not 

 content with that, immediately on alighting on the gromid, it stands 

 motionless for a few seconds, looking around it, before proceeding 

 further. When satisfied at last that no danger is to be apprehended, 

 it commences operations, hopping along for a few paces, and then 

 suddenly stopping again to listen and look about it. On seizing a 

 worm, and when pulling it out of the soil, the bird jumps vigorously 

 from the ground ; then after swallowing the toothsome morsel, it 

 resumes its original attitude of attention, preparatory to repeating its 



