10 
Mr. C. G. Danford on the 
65. SiTTA SYRiACA, Ehr. (Rock-Niglitingale). 
Common in all situations suited to its habits,, and found 
even among the stone heaps in woods. Though almost en¬ 
tirely a rock-bird, it occasionally frequents bushes and trees, 
two having been shot from the large walnuts near Zebil. 
Nests in April under overhanging rocks. 
66. SiTTA KRUEPERI, Pelz. 
This is by far the most abundant Nuthatch of the Taurus, 
and one of its most characteristic birds. No better proof can 
be adduced of the backward condition of our ornithological 
knowledge regarding Asia Minor than the fact that this species 
was but comparatively recently discovered by Dr. Kriiper. 
We first became acquainted with it on the Jamanlar dagh, 
where, in one morning, eighteen specimens were collected 
without any difficulty. From Smyrna to the woods on the 
above mountain and back again is an easy winter day^s ex¬ 
cursion j and from this district to the eastern end of the Taurus 
I believe that there is not a single fir-wood which is not well 
stocked with this interesting species. It also exists, no doubt, 
in the Antitaurus and Giaour dagh; but whether its range 
extends beyond the Palanga Ova and other elevated plateaux 
which intervene between the Taurus and the mountains of 
Armenia and Kurdistan is a matter for future investigation. 
It occurs along the upper edges of the oak-woods, chiefly 
frequents the pines, and is not uncommon among the cedars 
and junipers up to the limit of the tree-growth. Its habits 
may be said to be strictly arboreal, though a specimen was 
once shot amongst a heap of loose stones. It does not ascend 
trees spirally, but prefers the upper branches, and may often 
be seen hanging like a Tit to the outer sprays and cones. It 
has a very loud voice for so small a creature, and at least 
four distinct cries. One of these is a short clear call-song, 
uttered when the bird is at rest; others resemble the cry of 
the common Nuthatch and the spring notes of the Great Tit; 
but the strongest and most startling is the Jay-like screech, 
with which it signals its alarm or. Woodpecker-like, foretells 
coming rain. 
