PRATIKCOLA RUBETRA 59 



the eye, and for some distance behind it ; upper wing-ooverts showing a 

 blaok and white pattern, formed by a small white alar patch on the outer 

 lesser coverts, followed by blaok on the greater coverts, and then by white 

 again on the inside of the latter ; the two centre rectrices white at the base, 

 otherwise dark brown ; the remaining rectrices white on the basal half, and 

 dark brown on the terminal half ; lores, ear-coverts and moustachial stripe 

 blackish ; chin and sides of neck white ; throat, breast and flanks rufous- 

 buff; abdomen white : crissum and under tail-coverts pale rufous-buff. 



Iris, bill and feet dark brown. 



Total length 5 inches, wing 3, culmen -15, tarsus '85. 



Adult female, spring, from Feriana, Central Tunisia. 



Upper parts presenting a mottled appearance, as in the male, but much 

 duller in colour generally, and lacking the black and white markings on the 

 sides of head and on the wings ; the under parts also duller and without 

 any vyhite. 



Soft parts and measurements as in the male. 



The Whin-Chat is abundant in Tunisia as a migrant, being chiefly 

 noticeable daring the spring passage. Many of the birds also winter 

 in the oases of the south of the Eegency, although probably few, if 

 any, spend the colder months north of the Atlas. There appears to 

 be every reason to believe that the Whin-Chat breeds in limited 

 numbers in Tunisia, the species being met with in the country late 

 in May, during which month I have obtained specimens of it in 

 some of the high plateaux districts. From Tripoli also I have 

 examples of this bird, which were obtained as late as May 18th, at 

 Sebka, an oasis situated as far south as 27° N. lat. 



The Whin-Chat is generally to l)e met with, either singly or in 

 pairs, in open country, and on plains where a bush vegetation prevails ; 

 it is also frequently to be found on the outskirts of gardens and 

 plantations, and in South Tunisia is abundant in spring on the borders 

 of olive groves and palm oases. 



In its habits it resembles the bush-freqitenting Saxicolince to a 

 great extent, and is an active, restless little bird, constantly on the 

 move, and rarely remains long in one spot. Even when perching it 

 is never quiet, its tail being constantly in motion. Its food seems to 

 consist mainly of insects, and in Tunisia is composed chiefly of 

 coleoptera and flies of different kinds. The song of this species, 

 although very short, is considered to be pleasing. Its call note, 

 which is more often heard, is a sharp "ticking" note, repeated two 

 or three times. 



