389 
1921 .] of Tunisia and Algeria. 
A glimpse of these fine birds standing knee-deep in the lake 
may often be enjoyed from the windows of the train, and 
the sight of a flock rising against the cloudless blue sky with 
the sunlight catching their rosy plumage is alone almost 
recompense for the long journey from England. The 
number of Coots (Fulica atra atra) on this lake is really 
astounding. They are absolutely tame here, and paddle 
about in hundreds within a few yards of the line. 
Bordering the railway-track on the northern side of the 
lake is a low stone wall, the haunt of numbers of Redshanks 
(and doubtless other waders besides), which, usually shy 
birds in England, here do not even cease feeding as the 
train rushes by. Herons (Ardea cinerea ) stand sentinel on 
the wall every hundred yards or so ; Little Grebes (Podiceps 
ruficollis) in pairs swim about close to the shore exhibiting 
little more alarm than their companions ; while out on the 
open water flocks of ducks skim over the surface, keeping, 
hpwever, well out of gunshot of the shore. Like most 
salt or brackish lakes, the Lac de Tunis is absolutely 
devoid of vegetation around its shores, and in consequence 
those birds which do frequent its muddy margin are easily 
observed with field-glasses. 
Quite apart from the wonderful Roman and Punic remains 
so skilfully excavated by Pere Eelattre, the environs of Car¬ 
thage are well worthy of a visit for the sake of the birds which 
frequent this world-famous site. In the brilliant sunlight the 
fields are remarkably green in the month of February, and 
even the sea-cliffs present nothing of the barrenness usually 
associated with the north African coast in the minds of home¬ 
dwelling ornithologists. From the young corn many Crested 
Larks* sprang up as we passed, gently quivering to earth with 
wings and tail fully extended, plainly showing the three pairs 
of dark tail-feathers contrasting with the pale outer and central 
pairs. Tunisia is, as Whitaker has said, par excellence the land 
in which to study these remarkably interesting birds, though 
doubtless Hartert would cite Algeria, and Nicoll Egypt, as 
* The long-billed form of this district is Galerida cristata carthaginis, 
the short-hilled form Galerida tlieklce harterti, 
