144 BTRDS OF TUNISIA 



tive size and soberl3'-coloured plumage this little bird often escapes 

 notice and is considered less common than it really is. In Tunisia it 

 is perhaps also less in evidence than it is in most European countries, 

 as there it seems to frequent woods and secluded spots more than 

 gardens and the neighbourhood of human habitations, its usual haunts 

 in our own country, particularly in severe weather. Its flight is 

 feeble and jerky, and never maintained for any distance. Insects and 

 grubs form its principal food, but seeds and berries are also eaten, 

 especially perhaps in winter-time. The Wren's song is pleasing and 

 decidedly powerful for so small a bird, being at times poured forth by 

 the tiny songster with surprising energy and vigour. Its call note is 

 a sharp " click." The nest of this species is a most artistic structure, 

 and is generally placed in the midst of picturesque surroundings, such 

 as ivy or other creepers, on a mossy bank, or against the trunk of 

 some old tree. Walls, or the sides of outbuildings, sometimes furnish 

 a convenient site. The nest itself is decidedly large and dome-shaped, 

 with an aperture on one side. It is constructed chiefly of moss and 

 Hchens, with a plentiful lining of feathers. The eggs, usually six or 

 seven in number, are white, and generally finely spotted with red. 



In some continental countries one of the common trivial names of 

 the Wren is "The King of Birds." The same title is apphed to the 

 species in some doggerel verses quoted in Morris's " British Birds," 

 anent the former persecution of this poor httle bird in England on 

 St. Stephen's day. How such cruelty could ever have been practised 

 and allowed in an enlightened country like ours is inconceivable ! 



Family MOTACILLID^. 



MOTACILLA ALBA, Linnseus. 

 WHITE WAGTAIL. 



Motacilla alba, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 331 (1766) ; Shar2K, Cat. Birds 

 Brit. Mus. X, p. 464 ; Loche, Expl. Sci. AUj. Ois. ii, p. 3 (1867) ; Koetiicj 

 J. f. 0. 1S88, p. 213 ; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 25 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1896, 

 p. 89 ; Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 323. 



Description.— fiAuM male, early spring, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 

 Forehead, region round eye, ear-coverts and sides of neck pure white ; 



