222 



Through the courtesy of Mr. Joseph J. S. Whitaker, of Palermo, I have received a nest and 

 three eggs of this Bunting, taken by him at Biskra on the 22nd June last. This nest, which is 

 neatly constructed of fine grass-bents and lined with hair, measures 2\ inches external diameter 

 by 2 inches internal diameter, and the eggs are white, finely spotted and marked with greyish 

 brown and dark brown. In general character they are very Sparrow-like, most nearly resembling 

 some pale varieties of the Italian Sparrow in my collection, but are smaller in size. 



The Plate of this species is copied from a painting by Mr. A. Thorburn of a live bird in 

 the possession of Lord Lilford, and the specimens described are in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined, besides the series in the British 

 Museum, the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a,b, $ , c, d, J. Biskra, Algeria, March 1894 (J. J. Whitaker). e. Gardaia, Algeria, April 21st, 1870 

 (J. H. Gumey, Jun.). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 



a, g, b, $. Berryan, Mzab, December 2nd, 1856; c, d, $ . Gardaia, December 6th and 8th, 1856 

 (H. B. Tristram). 



