in the Eastern Atlas. - 
361 
127. Crex baillonii. (Baillou's Crake.) 
This shy little bird we used to see occasionally at Zana, where 
we obtained one nest, which an Arab brought to our tents. 
128. Porphyrio hyacinthintjs. (Purple Water Hen.) 
This magnificent species is common at Zana, where it keeps 
very much out of sight under the cover of the taller reeds. It 
is I believe, in the habit of destroying the Ducks' nests whenever 
it can get an opportunity. Many a time did we leave a nest for 
the satisfactory determination of the species to which it belonged, 
and return to find every egg broken and sucked out. It may 
be calumny to ascribe these depredations to Porphyrio hyacin- 
thinus; but I strongly suspect the charge is not unfounded. The 
eggs are so much taken by the Arabs that I can speak with no 
certainty of the usual complement laid by one bird. 
129. Gallinula chloropus. (Water Hen.) 
Excessively common at Zana, judging from the number of 
eggs brought to us by the Arabs. 
130. Fulica atra. (Coot.) 
Also common at Zana, Djendeli, and Bizerta, in none of which 
places did I observe the Crested Coot (Fulica cristata). 
131. Phcenicopterus antiquorum. (Flamingo.) 
It seems to be an almost universal rule throughout the world, 
that where their are salt lakes, there Flamingos are found*. 
It certainly is the case in Tunis, and the province of Constantine 
in Eastern Algeria; no permanent salt lake of any extent is 
without them. Every one who has visited Tunis must remember 
the vast numbers that are to be seen in the lagoon of El Balieira 
and the lake on the north western side of the town, and will 
recall to mind the magnificent sight of a thousand or more 
of these beautiful birds rising from the water at one time, the 
* Mr. Darwin (‘Naturalist's Voyage/ new ed. page 66) states that lie 
found Flamingos in Patagonia, Northern Chili, and the Galapagos 
Islands, frequenting the salt lakes. They are also found in the salt lakes 
of Siberia. (See ‘Pallas’s Travels, 1793 to 1794,' pp. 129-134.) The 
whole physical features of the Eastern Atlas range suggest the idea of its 
recent elevation above the sea-level; and I would include the upheaval 
of this portion with that of the Sahara, as conjectured by Mr. Tristram. 
(Ibis, vol i. p. 155.) 
