690 
BIRD-LIFE. 
in Egypt, into a desert, upon whose hard, gritty soil 
only here and there a tiny plant is to be seen, fearing at 
the same time that even this small speck of verdure will 
in a little time fall a prey to the fervent rays of a torrid 
sun. He may, perchance, see a few Vultures, or even an 
Eagle, gliding over the mountains, perhaps a Rock 
Sparrow or two, or a few Swallows may he seen,—other¬ 
wise all is as still as death. A bright lively strain suddenly 
causes the traveller to turn his eyes to a particular spot: 
the Dusky Chat has commenced his cheery ditty, and 
with it the dreary hill-side becomes animated, and the 
solitary wanderer the same. “ After him!” is now the 
word; and away clambers our pedestrian over boulder 
and rock; in full pursuit reckless springs are made, but 
to little purpose,—the bird is more active than man. 
Regardless of the streaming perspiration the hunter con¬ 
tinues his wild chase up the mountain side, the bonny bird 
ever in advance, singing, dancing, hopping, and flying, 
playing its antics, laughing in its sleeve at the futile 
efforts of his heavy pursuer, and amused that he should 
thus dare to seek out so active a creature in its native 
haunts. It is, however, in such a ramble that one can 
best observe the habits and ways of this charming little 
bird. 
Each pair inhabits a particular portion of the mountain, 
and the wilder it is, and the blacker the stones and 
boulders, the more certain one is to find it. The Dusky 
Chat likes the neighbourhood of the prickly-pear, and 
fearlessly seeks those retreats where it knows it is safe. 
What a jolly life ! Both birds are always on the move, 
picking up here a beetle, there a small worm; now 
catching a butterfly on the wing, or quickly pursuing 
some active grasshopper; now the male sings a snatch, 
