Mr. J, J. S. Wlutaker on some Tunisian Birds. 81 



first Swallows of the season^ both Hirimdo rustica and Cheli- 

 don urbica, I also saw here. I further saw, although without 

 being able to identify them, one or two Eagles, Harriers, Grey 

 Shrikes (probably Lanius dealbatus) , Ravens, and Starlings. 



On the 3rd of March we left Kasrin for Feriaua, 22 

 miles to the S.W., and after a steady tramp of seven hours 

 along a first-rate road, recently constructed by the French, 

 we reached our destination, and put up at the only inn of 

 which the place boasts. 



Feriana is an Arab village of some importance, with a 

 French military station, post and telegraph office. It is 

 extremely well situated, and has a dry bracing climate, 

 practically rainless, but never hot, I was told, even in the 

 middle of summer. 



On the 5th of March Ave started for Gafsa, and leaving 

 the High road, such as it is, on our left, struck across country 

 in a southerly direction, entering upon a succession of vast 

 alfa plains, which extend almost the whole way to Gafsa. 

 Here and there a few bare thorn-bushes relieved the mono- 

 tony of the level plain, and perched on one of these we 

 invariably saw the pale Grey Shrike [Lanius dealbatus), while 

 an occasional Hoopoe flitted across our path. Hares were 

 most abundant on these alfa plains, long-eared and long- 

 limbed [Lepus mediterraneus) . Towards evening we reached 

 the neighbourhood of Sidi-Aich, where we encamped for the 

 night. The next morning, after a very cold night, during 

 which the thermometer must have gone below freezing- 

 point, we struck tents, and continued our journey to Gafsa. 

 The country now became less monotonous, patches of culti- 

 vated land interspersed with Sarib thorn-bushes every now 

 and then meeting the eje, and here I saw for the first time 

 the Algerian Bush-Babbler [Argya fulva). Lanius de- 

 albatus was also very common about here, and Pica mauri- 

 tanica, although 1 failed to secure a specimen of the latter. 

 In the sprouting corn I also flushed several Quails {Coturnix 

 communis) . Later on in the day, when nearing Gafsa, I came 

 across the pretty little Desert Bullfinch [Erythrospiza 

 githaginea) , Alauda macrorhyncha, and Alceinon alaudipes. 



SER. VI. VOL. VI. G 



