A DAY WITH THE BARBARY PARTRIDGES. 181 



before us ; and the twilight here is remarkably short. I 

 linger near the rocks to watch the Choughs return to 

 roost, and to bag a few Stock Doves amongst the cedar 

 trees, while Achmed counts up our spoil seventeen 

 and a half brace of Barbarys, half a dozen Doves, and 

 a couple of Choughs which I shot for specimens. 

 Altogether this is a very respectable account to render 

 of such a wild day's shooting amongst strange and 

 rough country. We reach Lambessa at nightfall, just 

 as the hyenas and jackals noisily crept from their retreat 

 amongst the Roman ruins, and the Owls and bats flitted 

 ghost-like round our heads, tired out. but well content 

 with our day on the hills. My only wonder is that 

 Constantine is not visited more by British naturalists 

 and sportsmen. The climate is delightful, the scenery 

 strange and picturesque, and game in all suitable 

 districts abounds. 



