2571 The Zoologist — May, 1871. 



the reason why, in this list of birds, the waders and the swimmers 

 are so imperfectly considered. 



From Ajmokra we rode across the plain to the sea-coast, and 

 thence, over elevated tracts, to the Mahuna Mountains, celebrated 

 as the abode of lions and leopards. Here again our wishes were not 

 fulfilled, for the natives had burned down the thick bushes, which 

 formed the favourite dwelling-places of those wild beasts, in order 

 to be rid of such troublesome neighbours. This district, likewise, 

 was little favourable for ornithological researches, as the inaccessi- 

 bility of the mountain-passes prevented us from making any further 

 excursions. After a stay of a few days, which we devoted chiefly 

 to Entomology, we descended to Ghelma (Guelma), which is situated 

 on a rather extensive plain ; but here, too, we found nothing new, 

 beyond what we had already acquired on the coast. Taking a foot- 

 path of the Arabs out of Ghelma, and hastening towards Con- 

 stantine, we entered upon broad and fertile table-lands, promising 

 to the ornithologist. We found there many species which we never 

 met with again. Two localities we must here especially notice — 

 a valley, about the middle of our route, bounded on either side by 

 fruitful plateaux, and traversed by a stream, whose banks were 

 inhabited by a vast variety of birds; and, secondly, a meadow, for 

 the most part covered with water, situated at the village of Khroup 

 (El-Khroubs), 7 metres distant from Constantine. 



From Constantine we betook ourselves towards Batna, which 

 stands on a moderately wide cultivated plain, 1100 metres in 

 elevation. Round about we saw dense forests, chiefly of Scotch 

 fir, cedar and oak, which promised us some rich prizes. 



After a two days' march we found ourselves at El-Kan tara, in a 

 totally different region, as regards climate and general conditions. 

 This beautiful table-land, just bordering upon the desert, possesses 

 an entirely distinct ornithological fauna from the mountains : many 

 other interesting details were likewise presented by the first oasis 

 upon which we touched. A brief stay in this region about the 

 period of the New Year was amply rewarded. After this we made 

 for Biskra, through the Valley of El-Outaja. In Biskra, which lies 

 on the borders of the desert, we passed the months of January and 

 February, and half of March, during which time we made trips to 

 the adjacent parts of the desert and a longer excursion to the 

 mountains of Bonarif. 



We returned to Batna by another route ; after a three days' 



