DESERT TRUMPETER BULLFINCH. 87 



nest is well concealed, and with such foresight, that it 

 can hardly ever be found, 



I have never succeeded in discovering one, though I 

 have many times sought in vain, as did Brehm in 

 Egypt, who writes, 'In the month of March P. githa- 

 ginea is in breeding-plumage, but I have never succeeded 

 in discovering any more about it. The masses of rock 

 on both sides of the Nile form a very favourable nest- 

 ing-place, but they extend so much that the naturalist 

 cannot pursue his object with any good result.' 



I know, however, from the goatherds of Fuertaventura, 

 that the Moros, as they are called there, build in crevices 

 under large overhanging stones upon the ground. The 

 nest has a tolerably strong texture, and is woven with 

 the coarse straw of the desert grass, and lined within 

 with great feathers, mostly of the ostrich and bustard, 

 as well as the wool of the camel and hair of the goat. 

 The number of eggs is from three to five. They cer- 

 tainly breed twice, if not more frequently. The second 

 moult takes place in July. Individuals quite tired have 

 been seen by fishermen flying over the arm of the sea 

 and the islands of the coast. These journeys shew why 

 it appears yearly in Malta as a bird of passage, as this 

 island makes the direct line from the Western Sahara 

 and Canary Islands to the deserts of the Syrte, bordering 

 on the Mediterranean. 



The Desert Trumpeter does not appear to have many 

 enemies in its native home, as with the exception of 

 the wild cat and a few stoats, it has no four-footed foes. 

 The Horned Owl can scarcely find it under the flat 

 stones, and in the cliffs which protect it. It has only 

 to beware of the Kite, (Mifous regalis.J" 



Dr. Bolle was a long time before he could keep them 

 alive in confinement, but he at length succeeded, and 



