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in error, for no trace of its occurrence in Spain has since been found. Colonel Irby says that, 
if found anywhere, the coast near Tarifa would be the most likely ground; but the most careful 
investigation resulted in his failing to find any sign of such a bird as the Dusky Bulbul. In 
Algeria, however, it is a tolerably common and resident species; and Loche writes that it 
frequents wooded districts, is not shy, and may easily be approached. Its flight is not strong 
or rapid; and it is generally seen moving about amongst the trees, uttering its pleasant and clear 
song, which is a repetition of the same syllables varied and modulated, the syllables resembling 
the words tou-tu-tou-on, tou-tu-tou-on. Its food consists of insects, berries, and wild fruits. It 
is sedentary, and lives in families in the district it has fixed on, merely flying from tree to tree 
in pursuit of insects. It nests late, and conceals its nest with the greatest care, usually placing 
it in the orange-trees. The nest is constructed of fine roots and stems of plants; and the number 
of eges deposited is four, these latter being white, marked indistinctly with brownish, and closely 
spotted with numerous irregular dots of violet rose-colour and reddish brown. In size the eggs 
measure 22 by 18 millims. It does not, he adds, commence nidification in Algeria before June, 
and he has found nests containing fresh eggs as late as August and September. Mr. Salvin 
observed it, and obtained specimens at Kef Laks; and Mr. Taczanowski says (J. f. O. 1870, p. 45) 
that he met with it in all bush-covered localities in the highlands of Algeria, especially in 
districts not far distant from the sea; but at Batna he did not observe any, nor did he ever meet 
with one in the desert. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who also met with it in Algeria, writes (Ibis, 
1871, p. 78) as follows :—“ These birds get up in a wood in coveys of eight or ten, like a party 
of young Jays, from thick scrub and brambles. Their Jay-like flight is as different as possible 
from that of the shy but active Blackbird; and when once flushed they no longer seek to bury 
themselves in the foliage, but perch in the most exposed situations. From among the feathers 
of the occipital region of one which I shot at Oued el Alleg grew a few very slender filaments 
divided into branches, and about # inch in length.” Colonel Irby writes (Orn. of Str. Gibr. 
p. 76) that, according to Favier, it is “very abundant and resident around Tangier. When the 
oranges are ripe they are always to be heard and seen chattering and fighting in the gardens. 
They nest in May, June, and July, laying from three to four eggs, which are very thin-shelled 
and tender, of a greyish white colour, marbled or spotted with reddish spots of two or three 
shades of brown and purple. The nest is built in the branches of fruit-trees (orange, apricot, 
pear, &c.), and is shaped like that of the Woodchat Shrike, coarsely interlaced outside with ends 
of small roots and with creeping plants. They feed on all kinds of fruit and different flowers, 
are very fond of oranges, and prefer them to any thing else.” Colonel Irby himself found the 
present species numerous in the gardens just outside Tangier, and says that they reminded him 
much of some of the Indian Babblers (Crateropus), particularly in their flight and garrulous 
chattering. Besides this noise, he says (/. c.), “ they have a melodious whistle which I took down 
at the time and tried to note thus, Pwit, Pwit, Quitéra, Quiterd, rather in the tone of a Black- 
bird. This song (if it may be so called) and their chatter are so remarkable as to attract 
attention at once..... Among the Jews who speak Spanish they go by the name of ‘ Najanero’ 
(litt. ‘The orange-man ’), from their orange-eating propensities. ‘They make a clean hole in the 
side of an orange, and completely clean it out, leaving nothing but a shell of orange-peel, which 
remains hanging on the tree. I have more than once pulled these husks down, taking them to 
