CHOUGH. 579 



in that portion of the Aures known as the ' Cedar range/ south-west of 

 Batna. This colony had its headquarters at the very summit of one of the 

 highest mountains, in a ridge of rocks commanding a fine view of the 

 forest-clad hills. As we slowly rode up the steep path on our mules, 

 the report of our guns as we occasionally secured a specimen of some 

 bird startled the Choughs from their nests in the rocks far above us, 

 and they commenced circling about in the air, displaying great powers of 

 flight ; and their shrill notes resounded through the woods, echoing again 

 amongst the rocks. I now and again saw them alight upon the little 

 open spaces of herbage, searching amongst dung for insects and beetles. 

 Although living amidst the cedar-forests, I never noticed the birds alight 

 in the branches, but always on the rock-shelves, or in the crevices, in which 

 they doubtless build their nests. It should be mentioned that the Jack- 

 daw is very rare in both the localities above mentioned ; and it may be that 

 bird's abundance at Constantine that explains the Chough's absence." 



When I was at St. Jean de Luz last spring with my friend Howard 

 Saunders, we drove about five miles to the base of the steep part of the 

 hill, and then, leaving our conveyance, we proceeded on foot. We soon 

 entered the clouds that enveloped the mountain ; and after a long and 

 tedious walk winding along a mule-track through the "Scotch mist" or 

 sea-fog, we at length found ourselves on the top of la Petite Rhune in 

 brilliant sunshine. The most interesting birds were the Choughs, which 

 did not seem to be very rare. We very frequently heard their notes a 

 Jackdaw -like cry like khee'-o, khee'-o. We had no chance of a shot at 

 them : they were very wild, and flitted about the rocks far away beyond 

 range ; they would not allow us to come near them, though they never 

 took long flights. When they did fly, they moved their wings somewhat 

 irregularly and rapidly, as if their bodies were heavy, the exact opposite of 

 the Kite, which we had watched at intervals on the same ascent. On the 

 rocks their movements were light enough, toying with each other and 

 sometimes tumbling over each other like big black butterflies at play. 



The Chough, like the Rook, leaves its roosting-place early in the 

 morning, and repairs to the neighbouring pastures in search of food, some- 

 times even being seen to follow the plough to pick up worms and grubs. 

 It is always a restless and a wary bird, never remaining long in one spot, 

 but shifting its ground in short uncertain flights. Upon the ground it 

 walks about like a Rook, often mingling amongst the browsing sheep 

 and cattle, and turning over their droppings in search of insects or 

 grain. 



The food of the Chough consists of beetles, the various animals to be 

 obtained on the shore, worms, grubs, caterpillars, berries, grain, and even, 

 it is said, carrion, although we have no direct evidence to prove that 

 such is really the case. 



