On Birds from Tripoli. 643 
[The nesting of /. pecto^alis at Lake Naivasha is a very 
interesting circumstance. After comparing Mr Jackson's 
series of specimens with our own set from South Africa^ I find 
that the same variations in markings run throughout them 
all. The number of dark bands on the tail varies^ apparently, 
from seven to ten, and, in some instances, the dark bars 
become obsolete. — R. B. S.] 
[To be continued.] 
XL. — On a small Collection of Birds from Tripoli. 
By J. I. S. Whitaker, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U. 
For some years past I had entertained the idea of visiting 
Tripoli and Cyrenaica, or, failing the opportunity of going 
myself, of sending a collector in my stead, with a view of 
obtaining some information regarding the Ornis of those 
hitherto — by the ornithologist at least — practically unex- 
plored countries. Beyond a few notes by sportsmen, or 
other travellers who have visited the town of Tripoli and its 
immediate neighbourhood, nothing has, I believe, thus far 
been published concerning the fauna of this part of North 
Africa, which, although so near to Europe, seems yet so far 
oft' as regards our knowledge of it ; the Tripolitan hinter- 
land being indeed less known, and far more of a terra 
incognita to us, than many parts of Central Africa. 
Owing, however, to the Ottoman Government having of 
late years prohibited Europeans from penetrating into the 
interior of the Vilayet, unless provided with special per- 
mission, and to the fact of this permission being extremely 
difficult to obtain, particularly by an Englishman, in conse- 
quence of the somewhat strained relations existing between 
our country and the Porte, I had until last year been obliged 
to forego my good intentions^ and await the issue of events. 
Finally, in the spring of 1901, thanks to the kind inter- 
vention of the British Museum, I succeeded in obtaining, 
through our Foreign Office, the long wished for permission, 
SER. VIII. VOL. II. 2 u 
