Mr. J. J. S. Wliitaker on some Tunisian Birds. 91 



having received from Tunis specimens freshly killed this 

 autumn, and I do not find the plumage of the latter different 

 from that of the birds I got myself in the spring, the brown 

 shade being always entirely absent. 



18. Serinus hortulanus. 



This species I met with occasionally, and obtained speci- 

 mens at Tebessa and Gafsa. 



19. Erythrospiza githaginea. 



This pretty little Finch seems to be fairly abundant and 

 generally distributed throughout the south of the Regency, 

 and I constantly met with it after Reaving Feriana. I found 

 it in pairs and in small flocks on sandy plains and rocky 

 ground where there was some vegetation. It is an unsus- 

 picious little bird, and allows one to approach within a few 

 yards. The male bird is most exquisitely coloured, but 

 unfortunately the delicate rose tints fade a good deal after 

 death. 



20. FrINGILLA CffiLEBS. 



I include this species merely on account of my having seen 

 it in cages, and having been assured that it is common in 

 winter in some parts of the Regency. Of its occurrence as a 

 winter visitor there would seem to be no doubt whatever ; the 

 question is whether it ever breeds on the African continent. 

 Dr. Koenig is opposed to the idea, although he found it near 

 Djebel Battaria, to the south of Tunis, as late as the middle 

 of April. It is possible, however, I think, that it may nest 

 in some of the higher woods of the Tell Mountains, as 

 happens in Sicily with the same species, which in spring 

 retires for the purpose of breeding to the cool oak-woods of 

 the lofty inland mountains, and remains there till the ap- 

 proach of winter. 



21. Fringilla spodiogena. 



The Algerian Chaflinch, male and female, I found most 

 plentiful at Tebessa and at Gafsa, in both of which places 

 fruit-trees abound, and where it seemed quite the commonest 

 bird. This species is no doubt generally spread throughout 

 the Regency, although probably only to be met with in the 



