White-cheeked Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys 
This species was also observed in the garden in Baghdad on 9 September, where 
a pair of these birds foraged on yellow dates, and from time to time mobbed the 
Yellow -vented Bulbuls. On 7 November, two pairs were seen copulating in the 
same garden. From 8 to 10 November, White-cheeked Bulbuls seemed rather 
common in Baghdad and around Babylon. 
Starling Stumus vulgaris 
Starlings wintering in Mesopotamia were seen from early November in small 
flocks flying west. Small flocks were seen in Baghdad, and many flocks observed 
between Baghdad and Babylon also in November. On 6 November, a large flock 
was seen flying east from the plant, and on 25 November several flocks were seen 
resting at the banks of the Euphrates. On my way to Baghdad on 2 December, I 
observed very large flocks. 
Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea semenowi 
At dusk on 12 October I saw a flock of about 12-15 yellowish-greyish birds in 
bushes at the camp. The following evening I saw five birds at the same place. 
Acknowledgments 
I am indebted to Niels Hesselbjerb Christensen for good advice during conversa- 
tions before and after my stay in Iraq. I should also like to thank Uffe Gjol 
Sorensen most heartily for positive criticism of the manuscript. 
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