24 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



As in the case of the Black-eared and Black-throated Chats, there 

 would appear to be an analogous affinity between S. cenanthe and 

 S. seehohmi, not only in their plumage-colouring and marking, but 

 also in their habits and mode of life generally. I am not the first 

 to have remarked this, for Dr. Koenig, in his work on the Ornis 

 of Algeria (" Reis. und Forsch. in Algerien," p. 189), alludes to this 

 resemblance, and makes some highly interesting remarks thereon. 



Although we have no examples of S. seehohmi available for com- 

 parison, except those obtained in spring, judging from the incomplete 

 plumage of some of the male specimens, which show a certain admix- 

 ture of brownish feathers among the pure blue-grey plumage of the 

 upper parts, we may presume that the autumn dress of this species 

 undergoes a similar change to that observable in S. cenanthe, and 

 that the males of S. seehohmi in autumn, like those of S. cenanthe, 

 become more like the females in their plumage. Judging, moreover, 

 from the incompletely attired specimens above alluded to, the black 

 throat of the male of S. seehohmi probably disappears in part, if not 

 entirely, on the approach of avxtumn. The females of the two species 

 are apparently scarcely distinguishable one from the other, that of 

 8. seehohmi being merely a shade browner and less grey than that of 

 S. cenanthe. In their choice of habitat the two species also resemble 

 each other greatly. Both are eminently mountain species, frequenting 

 rocky, barren tracts of country, where there is little or no vegetation, 

 and breeding, as a rule, at a considerable elevation. Comparatively 

 little, however, is known thus far regarding S. seehohmi, and further 

 information concerning this rare species is highly desirable. This 

 may perhaps be forthcoming shortly, for I hear of an active collector 

 having recently visited the Aures and there obtained quite a large 

 number of specimens of this Chat. 



SAXICOLA ISABELLINA, Eiippell. 

 ISABELLINE CHAT. 



Saxicola isabellina, Rilpp, Atlas (1826), p. 52 ; Seehohm, Cat. Birds 

 Brit. Mus. V, p. 399 ; KoeJiig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 190 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 

 1896, p. 91 ; Erlaiujer, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 231. 



Dromolcea isabellina, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 201 (1867). 



Description. — Adult male, from Tatahouine, South Tunisia. 



Above sandy-brown ; quills rather darker ; rump and upper tail-coverts 



