EBYTHROSPIZA GITHAGINEA 221 



further north. The Palermo Miiseum possesses a specimen of the 

 Tromhettiere, as this bird is called in Italy, which was captured at 

 Mondello, not far from Palermo, on October 20th, 1891. 



Eminently a rock-frequenting bird, the Desert Bullfinch is, as 

 a rule, only to be found in hilly, stony districts, and never apparently 

 in the true sandy desert. Its plumage, like that of many of the Larks 

 and other birds, harmonises admirably in colour with the warm reddish 

 tints of the southern rocks and soil, and affords a good example of 

 Nature's protective colouring. The exquisite rose hue of this little 

 bird's plumage, however, is unfortunately somewhat evanescent, and 

 fades considerably after death. 



During the greater part of the year E. githaginea is to be found in 

 small parties, but during the breeding season single pairs are more 

 often met with. It is by no means a shy bird, and will often allow one 

 to approach within a few yards of it before taking to flight. Its food 

 consists chiefly of the seeds of wild plants, but also to a certain 

 extent of insects and grubs. In captivity the species thrives well, 

 and examples of it may occasionally be seen in aviaries. 



The notes of the Desert Bullfinch have been likened to those of 

 a small trumpet, whence its trivial name in various languages. 



Its flight is fairly swift, and at times very darting or jerky. 



In the more southern districts of Tunisia E. githaginea com- 

 mences nesting in the beginning of March, or even before that date, 

 full-grown young of the species being found on the wing by the 

 beginning of April. I have myself met with many such young birds 

 in the neighbourhood of Metlaoui during the first fortnight of April. 

 Further north in the Kegency the breeding season is rather later. 

 The nest of this species is usually placed under a tussock of grass or 

 other small plant on a hill-side, and is neatly built of fine bents, lined 

 with a little hair or wool. The eggs, usually four or five in number 

 — though I have found as many as six — are elongate in shape, and of 

 a delicate sea-green colour, slightly spotted and streaked at the larger 

 end with dark lake and reddish-brown. Average measurements 

 20 X U mm. 



