MELIZOPHILUS DESEETICOLUS 99 



M. deserticolus commences nesting operations soon after settling 

 down in its summer quarters, and by the end of April nests may be 

 found with their full complement of eggs, the number of which 

 appears to be four. As the nest and eggs of this species are probably 

 rare in collections, I think it advisable to give the following detailed 

 description, taken from my diary, of two nests and clutches obtained 

 by me in Tunisia : — 



(rt) Nest and eggs of M. deserticolus taken at Bou-Chebka, May 

 7th, 1898. The nest, which was placed in a low rosemary-bush 

 (Rosmarinus officinalis), measures 10 cm. in diameter externally and 

 5 cm. internally, and is cup-shaped; it is composed externally of 

 coarse grass-bents, and internally of finer bents, with a lining of the 

 soft, dry flower of Aerva javanica (Desf.). The eggs, four in nmnber 

 and of a medium oval shape, are of a greenish-white, plentifully 

 spotted, particularly at the larger end, with dark brown markings and 

 blotches, forming a zone. Average measurements 16 X 13 mm. 



(b) Nest and eggs of M. deserticolus taken at El-Oubira, May 9th, 

 1898. This nest, which was also found in a rosemary-bush, is very 

 similar in size and composition to that described above, but is much 

 more thickly lined with the dry woolly flower of A. javanica, and has 

 also a little horse-hair lining. The eggs, four in number, differ from 

 those already mentioned in being less spotted with dark-brown, and 

 without any zone at the larger end ; they are also rather smaller, 

 their average dimensions being 15 X 12 mm. 



The dry flower of Acrva javanica (Desf.), one of the Amarantacea, 

 is admirably adapted for the lining of a nest, being exceedingly soft 

 and woolly in texture. In ajDpearance it is peculiar, resembling a 

 small white woolly caterpillar. 



