102 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



sand, and the rare and beautiful Cream-coloured Courser 

 runs daintily and quickly along the ridges of the Desert; 

 whilst the Houbara Bustard and the Sand Grouse haunt 

 its wide expanse, scenting danger from afar, and 

 defying all near approach. The Desert Sparrow chirps 

 cheerily from the Arab houses and the mosque towers ; 

 whilst the singular Wren Warblers flit amongst the 

 vegetation on the sand dunes, and the funny little 

 Fantail Warbler is a denizen of the barley fields on the 

 outskirts of the oases. 



Another most interesting fact in the ornithology of 

 Algeria is the wonderful instance of protective colour- 

 ation among many of the resident birds. This modi- 

 fication of colour is apparent even amongst individuals 

 of the same species ; and, where the differences are even 

 more emphasised by climatic influences, one dominant 

 species has become segregated into several local races 

 or sub-specific forms. All the birds which frequent the 

 desert country are protectively clothed in a sand- 

 coloured dress, which effectually harmonises with the 

 ground on which they run and hide, and conceals them 

 from the prying eyes of enemies. For instance, in the 

 rich well watered portions of Algeria near the coast, the 

 Crested Larks are a normal brown in colour, very similar 

 to our own Sky Lark in appearance. As we travel south- 

 wards towards the desert on the more arid soil the Crested 

 Larks become much more sandy in their hue, and finally, 



