54 JOTTINGS ABOUT BIRDS. 



on the hills west of Batna. This species is more 

 abundant in winter. 



236. THE CORN BUNTING Emberiza miliaria, Lin- 

 naeus, is a resident in Algeria, fairly well distributed 

 over the region of the Tell. I did not meet with 

 this species south of the Atlas. 



237. THE GIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus, Linnaeus, 

 is a local resident in the region of the Tell. Tac- 

 zanowski states that it is common in the mountain 

 forests. 



238. THE ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana, 

 Linnaeus, is said to be a summer visitor to Algeria, 

 and to breed there in small numbers. Its distribu- 

 tion, however, requires determination. 



239. THE HOUSE BUNTING Emberiza .Sahara 

 (Bonaparte), is a resident in Algeria, principally 

 confined to the southern oases. I met with it in 

 the oases of El Kantara and Biskra. It is certainly 

 the tamest bird I ever saw, and frequents the Arab 

 houses without any sign of fear. This is a very 

 variable species. The skins which I obtained have 

 very obscure centres to the feathers on the back ; 

 but a skin obtained by Canon Tristram at 

 Berroughuia in December has these dark centres 

 much more developed. It might almost be con- 

 sidered as an intermediate form between E. sahane 



