BIRD-LIFE IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 93 



whitethorn has yet burst a bud, or the yellow primroses 

 expanded their simple blooms. But bird-life in Algeria 

 is full of activity, and already many species have come 

 up from their winter quarters in the oases, to the 

 wooded heights of the Atlas, for the summer. Others 

 are restlessly preparing for their spring journey to more 

 northern lands : in fact, we passed a few of the more 

 venturesome birds migrating to Europe, as we crossed 

 the wide expanse of the Mediterranean. Some of the 

 most charming scenes from bird-life it has ever been my 

 good fortune to witness have been in Algeria's sunny 

 oases, high up her mountains in the cedar and evergreen 

 oak forests, on the wide expanse of her glowing deserts, 

 and amongst the luxuriant richness of semi-tropical 

 verdure, near and round the centres of her civilisation. 



Upon first landing in Algeria, say at the port of 

 Philippeville, in the province of Constantine, and start- 

 ing from that place inland to the wonderful town of 

 Constantine, the Griffon Vulture, from its large size and 

 exceeding tameness, is certainly the first bird to arrest 

 our attention. As soon as we near Constantine these 

 interesting birds are almost always to be seen. They 

 soar to vast altitudes, and sweep round in wide circles ; 

 they sit upon the roadside, or lazily fly from the stunted 

 trees. No one here thinks of molesting them they 

 are the scavengers of the country, and rid the towns 

 and villages and highways of garbage and refuse. 



