i 4 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



Taczanowski describes it as being scarce in the 

 marshes. 



19. THE WATERMEN Gallinula c/iloropux, Linnaeus, 

 is a resident, and widely distributed throughout all 

 suitable districts. 



20. THE PURPLE GALLINULE Porphyrio cceruleus 

 (Vandelli), is a local resident in Algeria. Tacza- 

 nowski gives the Fezzara Lake as a locality for this 

 species. It has several times been recorded as a 

 British species, but the examples have undoubtedly 

 escaped from ornamental waters. 



21. THE COMMON COOT Falica atra, Linnaeus, 

 is a resident in Algeria, commonly distributed in 

 all suitable districts. Its numbers are largely in- 

 creased in autumn by migrants from Europe. 



22. THE CRESTED COOT Fulica cristata, Gmelin, 

 is a resident, but not so common as the preceding- 

 species, according to Taczanowski. 



23. THE GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps crista- 

 tus (Linnaeus), is a resident widely distributed, but 

 Canon Tristram states that he never saw this or 

 any other species of Grebe in the south even in 

 localities that appeared suited to them. I saw 

 what was probably this species in the oasis of 

 Biskra. Its numbers are increased in winter by 

 migrants from Europe. 



