224 BIBDS OF TUNISIA 



in Algeria also, and records the capture of two examples in December 

 1859 (Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 160). 



Even in Southern Italy and some of the Mediterranean Islands the 

 Bullfinch is seldom seen, and can only be regarded as an occasional 

 winter visitor. In Sicily I know of but two instances of its occurrence 

 during the past ten years. On the rare occasions when the species 

 strays as far as North-west Africa — no doubt in exceptionally severe 

 winters — the Bullfinch probably confines its wanderings to the wooded 

 country north of the Atlas, and never goes beyond those mountains. 

 It is eminently a bird of the wood or garden, and although not 

 particularly shy, is somewhat secretive in its habits, resorting to 

 localities where it is likely to escape notice. In captivity it is capable 

 of becoming remarkably tame and domesticated, and when brought 

 up from the nest forms a delightful pet. Its soft plaintive notes, 

 and the facility with which it acquires any tune taught it, cause the 

 species to be much sought after as a cage-bird, and a good piping 

 Bullfinch commands a high price. In its wild state, however, the 

 bird's notes are not particularly fine or varied, although its soft call 

 note is always pleasing to the ear. Its food consists chiefly of seeds 

 and berries, insects and their larvas forming the principal diet of the 

 young birds. 



LOXIA CURYIROSTRA POLIOGYNA, Whitaker. 

 TUNISIAN CROSSBILL. 



Loxia curyirostra poliogyna, Whitaker, Ibis, 1898, p. 625 ; Eiianger, 

 J.f. 0. 1899, p. 461. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from El Oubira., West-central Tunisia. 



Crown, nape and upper back brownish-grey, the head thickly streaked 

 and the back washed with bright brick-red ; lower back, rump and upper 

 tail-coverts bright brick-red ; wings and tail dull brown ; greater part of the 

 under surface bright brick-red, with a slight admixture of grey ; flanks and 

 crissum brownish-grey ; under tail-coverts brownish-grey, fringed with 

 white. 



Iris brown ; bill blackish-brown ; feet dark brown. 



Total length 6'50 inches, wing 3-80, culmen -TS, tarsus '70. 



Adult female, spring, from Bou Chebka, West-central Tunisia. 



