2590 The Zoologist — May, 1871. 



winter in the desert-oases; on the contrary, it is never to be found 

 in the more elevated oases, as in El-Kantara. 



Pterocles arenarius, Tenim. — Common in the desert, less 

 plentiful on the neighbouring heights. 



P. seUirius, Teiiiui. — This is the commonest of all the species 

 inhabiting the sauie districts. 



P. Senegalensis, Licht. — Common in the desert. 



Turnix Andalusica, Bonn. — Not a rare bird among s'nall , 

 clusters of bushes at the foot of the mountains, yet difficult to 

 find. 



Coiurnix dactylisonans, Mey. — Met with here and there all 

 through the winter on the sea-coast, in all parts of the Tell, and in 

 the tamarind-forests. In February they come from the far interior 

 of Africa, in large numbers, to the fields around the oases, at the 

 season of bailey-sowing, where they are to be seen in great nuilli- 

 tudes towards the end of March. If these birds were to be destroyed, 

 as they are in Biskra, they would at last become extinct in Europe. 

 During their autumn flight they remain about the sea-coast, avoiding 

 the date-zone. 



Caccahis petrosa, Bp. — Very plentiful in many districts of the 

 mountainous country ; found also, but in small numbers, iu the 

 tamarind-forests of the desert: in the neighbourhood of towns, and 

 all the French settlements, it has already become rare. Like our 

 partridge, this bird passes the winter in family parties. 



Chlamydotis houhara, Less. — Not uncommon in the desert and 

 neighbouring districts. The bird has many enemies, and is 

 becoming rarer: the Arabs chase it with falcons. 



Telrix canipestris, Leach. — Found, in inconsiderable numbers, 

 on heights of the Atlas. 



(Edicnemus crepitans, Temm. — Common in the desert. This 

 bird is so shy with us that, upon its catching sight of a falcon, 

 whilst in pursuit, it becomes confused and does not attempt to 

 fly away ; in which case a person may approach near to it, though 

 at times it will, even at a distance, raise its wings and shriek fear- 

 fully. Here, on the contrary, it defends itself courageously by 

 means of its beak, and very adroitly parries the attacks of the 

 falcon. 



Cursorins isahelUnus, Mey. — Rare, keeping in pairs on sand- 

 hills : when running away from men, the birds run continually past 

 each other, but, when they rise, they fly close together. 



