DIPLOOTOCUS MOUSSIERI 61 



are very intensely coloured, the upper parts, in some individuals, being 

 perfectly black, and without any light edgings to the feathers. 



In its habits the present species greatly resembles the Whin-Chat, 

 although it is perhaps more of a bush-loving bird, and as a rule affects 

 wilder and more hilly country. Like the Whin-Chat it is generally 

 to be found singly or in pairs, and is fond of perching conspicuously 

 on the top of a bush or stone wall, from which a good outlook can be 

 obtained. A wooden post is a favourite perch of this bird, whence its 

 Italian name of " Saltinpalo." The food of the Stone-Chat appears 

 to be entirely of an insect nature. Its song is short, but fairly 

 agreeable, and its call note, or more properly alarm note, is a short 

 " chat " repeated once or twice. 



The nest of this species, which is generally placed at the foot of 

 some bush and well hidden from view, is built of grasses, and 

 plentifully lined with hair. The eggs, of which five form the usual 

 complement, are of a bluish-green colour, with small dark red spots, 

 often forming a zone at the blunt end. I have a nest of this species 

 containing a Cuckoo's egg, in addition to the five eggs of its rightful 

 owner. 



The Stone-Chat in Tunisia nests rather early in the season, and 

 young birds, fully fledged, may be met with by the end of April. 



DIPLOOTOCUS MOUSSIERI (Olphe-Galliard). 

 MOUSSIEE'S EEDSTAET. 



Erlthacus moussieri, OlpJic-Gallianl, Ann. Soc. cVAgric. l(c. Lyon, iv, 



p. 101, pi. 2 (1852). 

 Pinarochroa moussieri, Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. vii, p. 20; 



Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 220. 

 Ruticilla moussieri, Malherbe, Faiuic Orn. dc I'Alg. p. 14 (1855); Lochc, 



Expl. Sci. AJg. Oh. i, p. 219 (1867); Whitakcr, Ibis, 1894, p. 88. 

 Erythacus moussieri, Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 206. 

 Pratincola moussieri, Koenig, J. f. 0. 1892, p. 414. 

 Diplootocus moussieri, Hartrrt, Nov. Zool. ix, p. 324 (1902). 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from El-Oubira, Central Tunisia. 



A frontal line extending over the base of the bill, as well as the lores, 

 ear-coverts, sides of neck, crown, nape, back, scapulars and the greater part 

 of the wings black; a broad band across the forehead, extending over the 



