in the Eastern Atlas . 
183 
The first nest of this species we obtained was brought from 
Blad el Elma, a village to the south of Djebel Dekma; it con¬ 
tained two eggs, both which had been incubated some time, so 
that the long bare tarsi and large eyes of the embryo left little 
doubt as to the identity of the species. Of these eggs one had 
slight indications of colouring, a feature I have never observed 
in other specimens. The eggs are usually deposited in March; 
but some birds defer laying till April. The Arabs call this bird 
the “ White Eagle ”—“ Hogarb abiad. ,} 
10. Pandion haliaetus. (Osprey.) 
In the lagoon of El Baheira, a number of posts are fixed 
to direct the boats that ply between Tunis and La Goletta. 
These are the favourite perches of several Ospreys, which 
during the winter months fish in the lagoon, and retire to these 
posts to feed on and digest their prey. While at Bona, I saw 
one bird flying along the sea-coast. 
11. Buteo tachardus. Buteo cirtensis , Levailh, jun. (The 
African Buzzard.) 
This species is by no means common in the district where 
other rapacious birds so abound. I have but few instances of 
its occurrence noted. One of these was at Khifan M'sakta, 
where a pair had their nest. On another occasion I saw two in 
a rocky pass near Has el Alia. Subsequently Mr. Simpson shot 
one near the salt lake of Guerah el Tharf, The eggs, as might 
be expected, differ immaterially from those of the Common Buz¬ 
zard [Buteo vulgaris). 
12. Milvus regalis. (Common Kite.) 
For the most part, we found the nests of the Kite were much 
dispersed; I have no instance noted of more than a pair occu¬ 
pying one cliff. When in a rock, they were usually placed where 
a small tree or shrub grew out of a crack. Such was the case 
at Djebel Dekma, Khifan M'sakta, and Kef Laks, with a single 
exception. In this case the nest was in a hole in the precipice 
that forms the western termination of Djebel Dekma. The 
young in this nest were hatched in the first week in April. 
About the Ouled Zeid country, north of Souk Harras, the nests 
were usually in trees. Nearly all the eggs we obtained were 
o 2 
