LIGURINUS CHLORIS AURANTIIVENTRIS 199 



The North African Greenfinch differs from typical L. chloiis (L.) 

 chiefly in the colouring of its plumage, which is brighter and more 

 uniform throughout, with a very marked absence on the upper parts 

 of the hroicn shade noticeable in most examples of L. chloris. This 

 difference, as already observed, appears to be perfectly constant and 

 not confined merely to individuals, for among the many specimens I 

 have examined I have never found a single bird in full plumage that 

 varied from the rule. The difference is also noticeable at all seasons, 

 and I have examples obtained in autumn and winter, which do not 

 differ materially from those obtained in spring, the brown shade being 

 invariably absent. Besides the difference in plumage coloration, the 

 bill of the North African bird is slightly larger, stouter and more 

 wedge-shaped than in the generality of European birds. 



With regard to the relative size of the two forms of Greenfinch, 

 having compared a large series of both, I cannot say I find any 

 appreciable and constant difference between the two. 



Throughout the greater part of North-west Africa L. c. auraniii- 

 ventris is more or less plentifully distributed. From both North and 

 South Marocco I have examples of it, and in Algeria it appears to be 

 abundant in the wooded districts. From Tripoli I have no specimens, 

 but the species may possibly occur near the coast where the country 

 is fertile and fairly well wooded in some parts. In North-east Africa 

 no Greenfinch appears to occur. 



From South Spain I have several examples of the Greenfinch, 

 which, although not perfectly identical with North-west African birds, 

 resemble them very closely. Examples from Italy, however, and even 

 from Sicily, can only be referred to L. chloris (L.), although occa- 

 sionally bright coloured individuals may be met with, particularly 

 during the breeding season. 



The present subspecies is common throughout the greater part of 

 the Tunisian Regency, and breeds in several districts north of the 

 Atlas. Whether it nests in South Tunisia I cannot say, but I have 

 met with the species in small flocks on passage about the middle of 

 March at Oglet-Zelles and Oglet-Alima in the Tunisian Sahara, and 

 at Feriana and other places in Central Tunisia I have found it as late 

 as April 20th. In the immediate neighbourhood of the town of 

 Tunis this Greenfinch is common all the year round and nests in 

 the gardens of the vicinity. 



In its general habits L. c. aurantiiveiitiis appears to differ in no 



