394 
Mr. I). A. Bannerman : First Impressions [Ibis, 
Linnets, Corn-Buntings, innumerable Sparrows, Starlings, 
etc., but once the semi-desert plains with their scrubby 
vegetation were reached, these lovers of cultivated lands 
were left behind, and instead we saw Common Cranes, Sand- 
Grouse, Bustards, and close to Bdj el Menzel, near a sheet 
of water, innumerable small wading birds which, however, 
we were quite unable to identify from the car. Crested 
Larks* were again numerous, but other small birds were 
seldom seen, save an occasional Shrike or so. Cranes flying 
in small parties over the scrub, or else standing in little groups 
on the plain feeding unconcernedly within a few hundred 
yards of the car, made a charming picture, especially as v\ e 
had somehow never expected to meet them. According 
to Whitaker the Common Crane is abundant in Tunisia in 
winter and during migration, and is then to be seen in large 
flocks close to Tunis and Carthage. We had not, however, 
seen any in the northern part of the Regency during our 
brief visit. It has not been known to breed in Tunisia, but, 
curiously enough, the Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo ), 
though quite a rare species in Tunisia, has been known to 
breed near Susa. 
We passed close to Sebkra Ivelbia, a great expanse of 
water which looked very much out of place in this flat and 
otherwise arid landscape. These inland lakes are very 
remarkable, and must surely be the haunt of vast numbers of 
waterfowl at certain seasons of the year. From the nature 
of their position, surrounded by the open plain, and their 
entire lack of undergrowth, birds resting on the surface 
would be quite unapproachable from any direction. To 
explore thoroughly these vast plains and Sebkras it would 
be necessary to take a tent and camp, the distances being too 
great to work the ground conveniently from the nearest 
French hostelry, though much good work could certainly be 
done by a naturalist staying in Kairouan itself. The climate 
of Tunisia is delightful, the rain-fall, particularly in the 
central and southern divisions of the Regency, very small, 
and we may take Mr. Whitaker's word for it that “ as a 
* Probably Galerida theklce superjliia, but none obtained, 
