2588 The Zoologist— May, 1871. 



immediately over a valley, which were built on small fir trees 

 within 10 metres from the ground: I counted twenty of them in a 

 very limited space. At the end of March I saw that these birds 

 had not yet commenced sitting, and I was assured that their eggs 

 are not hatched before May. They are not so cautious and shy as 

 our raven : a great number of them were always to be seen about 

 the slaughter-house at Balna. Once, as 1 was sitting in a hiding- 

 place for the purpose of watching for a Gypaetos, my attention was 

 drawn to an unusual stir among these birds on a neighbouring 

 height ; they were continually flying upwards and dai'ting down to 

 a certain spot on the ground. I suj)posed they were after carrion 

 of some kind, and, in the hope of lighting upon a vulture or a 

 Gypaetos, I betook myself thither with a companion. On our 

 arrival, however, we convinced ourselves that this was a grasshopper 

 hunt, the birds catching the insects with their claws, while in flight 

 as well as when on the ground, and devouring them on their 

 continued flight upwards. Amongst them there were some choughs 

 {Fregilus\ which took part iu the hunt. 



Dimensions of Corvus sp., as described above : — 



Fregilus graculus, Cuv. — Common on the mountains in many 

 parts. 1 met with them in the greatest numbers between Batna 

 and El-Kanlara. 



Siiirnus vulgaris, L. — Common throughout the mountainous 

 country ; but we never saw one in the desert. 



S. unicolor, Marmora. — We saw a few examples only of this 

 bird between Jenimapes and Ajmokra. 



Cynchramiis miliaria, Bp. — Very common throughout the entire 

 country. 



Emberiza cirlua, L. — Common in the forests of the Tell. 



E. cia, L. — Met with in many places on barren mountains. 



Schaenicola arundinacea, Bp. — We met with it a few times 

 in desert-thickets about damp spots. 



