Lake Fetzara

Lake Fetzara is located about 15 miles (25 km) south-west of Annaba, Algeria. In 1857, it was still one of the most important freshwater lakes of northern Africa, where a great number and variety of waterbirds came to breed. As soon as 1877 however, it was suspected by the Mokta El Hadid mine company to be the cause for malaria in the area. The lake was subsequently drained, and the site remained dry for long periods of time, losing a lot of its ornithological value. The draining uncovered traces of Roman settlement.

Retaining winter floods in recent years has allowed Lake Fetzara to regain some of its importance as a nesting site.

The caption reads in the original French: Le lac Fetzara, en Afrique. — D’après un dessin de M. Lucy.