94 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



This fine bird breeds in the cliffs, and makes a huge 

 nest of sticks on some convenient shelf. The Griffon 

 Vulture nests early, and only rears two young birds in 

 the season. Another remarkable bird to the British 

 ornithologist is the White Stork. Cherished and 

 respected and welcomed everywhere, this handsome 

 bird may be seen strutting about the fields, or perched 

 solemnly on the roofs and chimneys. He is also very 

 fond of fishing by the stream-side, and, owing to his 

 freedom from molestation, his habits may be readily 

 studied. He also breeds on the cliffs, and his bulky 

 nest of sticks is a most conspicuous object on the rocks, 

 as well as on buildings. I saw numbers close together 

 on the cliffs below Constantine. High up amongst the 

 beetling precipices, and round the lofty spires and 

 minarets, the White-bellied Swift darts to and fro on 

 even more rapid wing than its smaller English con- 

 gener ; whilst the delicate little Rock Martins swarm 

 in twittering hosts in all the rocky defiles and passes. 

 Wherever we may wander in Algeria, the Black Kite is 

 sure to be met with, absurdly tame, and hovering just 

 above our heads, as he searches the ground below for 

 food. Another bird equally as widely dispersed is 

 Irby's Raven, a species very closely allied to the British 

 Raven, and which frequents every description of scenery, 

 from the barren arid deserts, to the lofty mountain tops, 

 and the rich well-cultivated valleys and plateaux. 



