354 Mr. O. Salvin's Five Months’ Birds’ -nesting 
Guerah el Tharf. As this country was worked by Mr. Simpson 
while I was at Djendeli and Zana, I have nothing noted of the 
habits of this bird, as I did not see it when passing through 
that district. 
104. (Edicnemus crepitans. (Stone Curlew.) 
This bird was our constant companion while encamped in the 
lake districts. We seldom used to see it during the day, but 
towards evening and after sundown the cries of several indivi¬ 
duals resounded incessantly round our tents. 
105. Cursorius gallicus. (Cream-coloured Courser.) 
It was not until the end of June that I met with this bird. 
We had just broken up our final camp at Zana, and were 
returning by way of the Caravanserai of Ain Yacoute to Con¬ 
stantine, when, at a short distance from the former place, we 
encountered a small flock in one of the undulating and sterile 
plains through which the high road to IJatna and Biskra runs. 
The birds showed little symptoms of fear, and ran before our 
horses, or flew round our heads. At the time we thought they 
were not breeding there, but, as they were all in full adult 
plumage, I have since considered that they were there for no 
other purpose. The fact was, our faces were set homewards, and 
it was difficult to stop, even for the eggs of the Cream-coloured 
Courser. Mr. Tristram kindly gave me one of the eggs obtained 
by him, as mentioned in The Ibis, Vol. I. page 79; and, compar¬ 
ing this with Mr. Gurney's and Mr. Newton's examples from 
Tangiers, I may remark that, as regards my own specimen, the 
intensity of colour is decidedly in favour of the latter; and I 
attribute this inferiority to the effect of exposure, which in the 
parching climate of Southern Algeria is fatal to the colour of 
eggs. 
106. Glareola pratincola. (Pratincole.) 
The Pratincole was found in the table lands of the interior, 
frequenting the salt lakes and freshwater marshes. Its fearless 
manner and familiar habits cause it to rank high among the 
interesting birds of the country; and I remember few that I have 
watched with greater pleasure. When in proximity to their nests, 
the whole flock come wheeling and screaming round, while some 
