38 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



states that it is common in the mountains near 

 Batna and Constantine. Whether this and the 

 following bird are really distinct from B. vulgar is 

 is questionable. 



163. THE LONG-LEGGED BUZZARD Buteo ferox 

 (Gmelin), is a resident in Algeria, but details of 

 its distribution are wanting. 



164. THE COMMON KITE Milvus regalis (Bris- 

 son), is a widely distributed winter visitor, espe- 

 cially frequenting the Sahara sub-region. It is 

 said to breed sparingly in the Atlas, but the 

 majority migrate northwards again in February and 

 March. 



165. THE BLACK KITE Milvus ater (Gmelin), is 

 a resident in Algeria and very widely distributed. 

 It was certainly the commonest Raptor seen by 

 me. I met with it in all parts of the country I 

 visited south of Constantine, including the moun- 

 tains up to 7000 feet elevation, the desert country 

 where scarce a trace of vegetation could be seen, 

 the fertile lands, the oases, and even the large 

 towns, in which it acts the part of scavenger. It is 

 wonderfully bold, seeming to have no fear of man, 

 and would often accompany us for miles, flying just 

 overhead within easy shot. 



1 66. THE BLACK-WINGED KITE Elanus coeruleus 



