The Zoologist — May, 1871. 2573 



List of Birds collected and observed in the Province of Constan- 

 tine, Algeria, during a Journey between the end of November, 

 1866, and the end of April, 1867. By L. Taczanowski, 

 Curator of the Zoological Museum in Warsavr. 



(To THE Editor of the ' Zoologist.') 



Sir, — I had the accompanying paper on the Ornithology of Algeria 



translated by Mr. Cooke, from the 'Journal fur Ornithologie' for January, 



1870, for my use when working up the birds which I collected in that 



country ; and I have much pleasure iu communicating it to the ' Zoologist,' 



that other ornithologists besides myself may have the benefit of it. 



Yours truly, 



J. H. GURNEI, JuN. 

 2, Beta Place, Alpha Eoad, N.W. 



The ornilhological fauna of Algeria is already so well known 

 that, during so short a stay, we had but little opportunity of 

 observing much that was new. As our principal aim was to group 

 together all the species which winter in those parts, so as to be 

 able to add thereto some facts concerning their local habits, we 

 determined to spend as little time as possible upon distant journeys, 

 in order that we might the more closely examine suitable localities. 

 Count Constantin Branicki, who had previously visited this country, 

 and who is possessed of much experience in that respect, so 

 arranged our expedition that we had not to traverse widely sepa- 

 rated districts, and consequently such as would have presented the 

 most extreme differences of condition. This circumstance alone 

 rendered it possible for us to get together, in so short a time, 

 a tolerably rich collection. 



We commenced our researches at Philippeville, after a iew days 

 proceeding by Jerainapes to Ajmokra, on Lake Fezzara, in order to 

 shoot marsh and water birds. This lime, however, we were dis- 

 appointed in our expectations, as the water in the lake was very 

 low and the surrounding marshes were dried up. We met with 

 very iew birds, and, moreover, shooting on the lake was rendered 

 impracticable by the want of boats suitable for such shallow water. 

 This circumstance, taken in connection with the fact that during 

 our sojourn at other lakes we had but little better fortune, furnishes 



SECOND SERIES — VOL. VI. Y 



