170 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



In the Tunisian Eegency, as already mentioned, L. algeriensis 

 inhabits that part of the country lying to the north of the Atlas 

 Mountains, where it is resident and to be met with at all seasons 

 of the year. The species, however, does not appear to be equally 

 distributed throughout all the northern districts, but is to be found 

 chiefly in the more open country, where cereals and a bush vegetation 

 flourish. In the higher mountain districts, indeed, these Shrikes 

 rarely occur. Within a short distance of the town of Tunis itself Grey 

 Shrikes may occasionally be met with, and throughout all the flat 

 country extending towards Souk-el-Arba and Mater, they are more or 

 less common. x\s already mentioned, specimens from the more western 

 districts of North Tunisia are generally rather darker than those from 

 the east of that region. 



Owing to its rather conspicuous plumage, and to its habit of 

 perching on bush-tops, whence it obtains a clear view of the surround- 

 ing country, L. algeriensis may frequently be seen, but rarely allows 

 one to approach very near to it, and should the naturalist wish to 

 observe its movements more closely, it must be with the aid of glasses 

 of some sort. 



Like most other Shrikes, the present species is generally to be 

 found singly, or, during the breeding season, in pairs. Its food 

 consists chiefly of insects, but small mammals and young birds are 

 also occasionally brought to the larder. Its note is rather harsh and 

 grating. 



L. algeriensis breeds throughout the months of April and May, 

 and nests may sometimes be found in June. Its nest, which is usually 

 placed in the centre of a thick thorny bush, is roughly built of twigs 

 and coarse grasses, lined with wool and feathers. The eggs, four to 

 six in number, are generally greenish-white, marked and spotted, 

 chiefly at the larger end, with grey and brown. In size, however, as 

 well as in colour and marking, they vary not a little. Average 

 measurements 25 x 19 mm. 



Instances of continuous laying on the part of Grey Shrikes are not 

 uncommon, and I am informed by an acquaintance living at Bizerta 

 that in one season he took three successive clutches of eggs of 

 L. algeriensis from the same bush, presumably belonging to the same 

 pair. A fourth clutch of eggs, which he left, was duly hatched, and 

 the young birds successfully reared. 



Mr. W. 1\. Ogilvie-Grant, in a monograph on the genus Lunius, 



