ARGYA PULVA 129 



the neigbbourbood of Kairouan, and even a little furtber north in 

 Central Tunis, the species may be met with not unfrequently. 



In Algeria the species is to be found in the same description of 

 country as in Tunisia. According to Mr. Tyrwhitt-Drake it occurs 

 in Southern Marocco, and Mr. Meade- Waldo also met with a party 

 of these birds near the city of Marocco. The species, however, does 

 not appear to be so abundant in Marocco as it is in Algeria and 

 Tunisia, probably owing to the character of the country in general 

 being less suited to the bird's requirements. From Tripoli I have 

 specimens of A. fulva obtained in the more bushy districts of the 

 Vilayet, where it is not uncommon. These specimens are identical 

 with examples from Tunisia. 



During the greater part of the year the Algerian Bush-Babbler is to 

 be found in small parties of half-a-dozen birds or so, but occasionally 

 as many as a dozen may be seen together. In the breeding season 

 pairs may be met with, but even during the spring small flocks are 

 frequently to be found together, and the species is eminently gregarious 

 and sociable in its habits. 



Canon Tristram has given a very good description of the peculiar 

 habit this bird has of creeping up one side of the bush and down 

 again on the other side, preparatory to stealing off quietly to another 

 bush, in order to escape detection {Ihis, 1859, p. 420). One may often 

 see these birds flying out of a bush, one after the other, in a string and 

 skimming along over the ground. Their flight is rather feeble and 

 not sustained for any great distance. It seems to be performed by 

 a succession of rapid beats of the wings, which are then outspread, 

 and the bird sails along without further effort. It may be fre- 

 quently seen on the ground and is a great runner. I once had the 

 pleasure of watching, from a short distance, one of these birds taking a 

 bath in a pool, which it evidently enjoyed immensely, judging from 

 its actions and the length of time it remained in the water. 



The call note of A. fulva is something like " peeali, peeah, peeah," 

 and the alarm note a churring or grating cry. 



Although distinctly wary birds, their restlessness and loquacity 

 often betray their whereabouts, should they not happen to have 

 noticed one's approach from afar. The food of this species consists 

 largely of coleoptera and other insects as well as of berries and seeds. 

 Dates are also eaten, and I have a specimen which was shot in the 

 act of feeding upon this fruit. 

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