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region and extends far into the Atlas range ; but one cannot but remark that it is not everywhere 

 similarly represented, for, though deep in the mountains it retains, on the whole, the same 

 character, yet the general appearance is somewhat different, as, for instance, in the Aures range, 

 where one misses the dark green closely foliaged bushes, glossed with brown, of Pistacea lentiscus, 

 which is one of the predominant representatives of the Maquis growth in the Mediterranean 

 subregion, and is a characteristic both as regards form and colour of the general vegetation. 

 With the disappearance of this bush the general tone of the vegetation alters, and the precipices 

 are so covered with evergreen-oak (Quercus ilex) that this becomes the characteristic growth, 

 and thus takes the place of Pistacea lentiscus. These oaks are scarcely higher than the bushes, 

 and grow at short distances from each other, and between are rank masses of rosemary, thyme, 

 and lavender, which diffuse their rich aroma far and wide, white and red cistus, junipers covered 

 with reddish-brown berries, various brooms with their golden-yellow flowers, Phylleria angusti- 

 folia, and other plants of various sorts. Here and there stand beautiful Aleppo pines (Pinus 

 halepensis), with their long yellowish spines towering above the flowering plants and bushes. 



" These localities are selected by Tristram's Warbler for its summer home, and here these 

 birds may be seen almost everywhere. In the pairing-season the males, which appear to greatly 

 outnumber the females, become jealous and quarrelsome to a degree, and those who desire to 

 secure a mate can only succeed after many a severe struggle with his rivals. In the early 

 morning one may be seen perched on the topmost twig of a bush, uttering, with distended throat, 

 its sweet and pleasing song, which is made up of a series of prolonged musical strophes which 

 sound clear and loud in the fresh morning air. 



" In a somewhat crouched position with puffed-out plumage and drooping wings, the tail 

 being constantly jerked from side to side, it will boldly attack any rival that may approach, and 

 then a battle royal ensues, which often lasts for hours until one succeeds in driving off its rival, 

 and takes possession of the female. To an ornithologist it is a most interesting sight to watch 

 these males, which may often be approached quite close, as they flit from bush to bush, and then 

 disappear amongst the dense foliage, the victor reappearing, and, perched on the topmost branch 

 of some bush, sounds its clear paean of triumph; the beaten rival may also be heard further off 

 uttering its call, as if afraid to approach nearer to its more fortunate rival. I have also seen the 

 victorious male rise singing in the air, and circling downwards regain its former perch. It is 

 certainly one of the most striking and interesting of the southern Warblers, and appears to me 

 to bear a much closer affinity to the Dartford Warbler than to any of the Whitethroats or 

 their allies." 



Dr. Koenig has been fortunate enough to discover the hitherto unknown nest and eggs of 

 Tristram's Warbler, and writes to me respecting its nidification as follows : — " I need scarcely 

 assure you that I used every endeavour to find the hitherto unknown nest of this bird. In 1892 

 an Arab boy showed me a nest which I found to be that of this Warbler, but from which the 

 eggs had, unfortunately, been taken. It was placed on the ground between last year's shoots of 

 an ilex, and was lined with soft plants. In the hope that the female would perhaps return and 

 deposit eggs in the nest I left it, but when I returned I did not succeed in finding it again. I 

 was more fortunate in 1893, as on my first expedition to the pine-woods, on the 13th of May, 

 I was taken by a Bedouin lad to a nest of this Warbler, which was placed in a rosemary bush 



