1864.] REV. H. B. TRISTRAM ON THE BIRDS OF PALESTINE. 447 
Dr. Sclater. Its range is most limited—only round the little fresh- 
water fountains and rills which run into the Dead Sea at the west 
and south-east. 
203. PrTRONIA STULTA, Gm. 
Very common on the higher lands everywhere in spring. Returns 
late, and often selects for nidification the mouths and sides of old 
wells. 
204. PerRoNIA BRACHYDACTYLA, Bp. 
This interesting desert-bird, first noticed by Hemprich, we dis- 
covered only in the bare plateaux north of Hermon, by the Litany, 
and in Ceelesyria. Its nest is neat and compact, in a bush; and the 
eggs white, with black spots, like a diminutive Golden Oriole’s.; 
205. CuLorospizA CHLORIS, L. 
A winter visitant on the coast. 
206. CuLorospizA CHLOROTICA, Licht. 
A summer visitant in all the wooded districts, and especially among 
the olive-groves and gardens, where its habits and nidification are 
exactly those of our own bird. 
207. CaRDUELIS ELEGANS, Steph. 
A permanent resident, chiefly in the olive-yards. 
208. SrRINUS MERIDIONALIS, Bp. 
Not uncommon in wooded districts near the coast in winter. Not 
met with in the interior, nor later in the season. 
209. SeRINUS PUSILLUS (Pall.). 
A single specimen was obtained in the Lebanon this year by Sign. 
F. Fidas, of Beyrout. We never met with the bird. 
210. SERINUS AURIFRONS, nov. sp., mihi. 
S. corpore supra flavido, fusco striato; fronte, pileo, uropygio, sca- 
pularibus aureo-flavis, fronte precipue aurea; corpore toto 
subtus flavescente, nec striato; collari flavissimo ; remigibus 
nigris, flavo externe limbatis ; scapularibus flavidis ; rectricibus 
omnibus nigris, albido externe limbatis et dimidiatim interne 
albidis. Major quam S. meridionalis. 
Long. tota poll. 5°15, alee 3, caudee 2°6. 
. I should have supposed this bird to be the Fringilla syriaca of 
H. & Ehrenb., but that their diagnosis is quite irreconcileable with 
my specimens. The species is not uncommon in the shrubby districts 
of Hermon and at the cedars of Lebanon. The birds of the year have 
a rich russet hue, in place of the yellow. The nest is linnet-like, and 
the eggs approach those of the Goldfinch. The male has a powerful 
and varied note: it is much larger than the Serine Finch. 
