NoVtTATES ZOOLOGICAE XXIV. 1917. 441 



one whicli we might expect, simple and clear, moreover on the Kcm-Ombos 

 specimen the name altirostris has afterwards been scratched out, probably by 

 Brehm himself, and, perhaps by someone else again, under-punctuated, meaning 

 that it should stand after all. In the Akascheh specimen the name altirostris 

 has never been scratched out or altered. 



G. c. maculula stands between nigricans and altirostris, some individuals 

 being hardly distinguishable from either of these, but a series shows it to be 

 distinct from both. 



Nicoll and Lynes have shown, and specimens collected by Loat and 

 Schrader confirm, that on Lake Menzaleh and near Damietta pale forms occur 

 with dark typical nigricans. Evidently the latter is restricted to the black soil 

 of the Nile-delta, while a paler form, which agrees with maculata (and not with 

 altirostris) inhabits the drier districts east of the delta. It is therefore quite 

 natural that they are found close together and even occasionally side by side, 

 though I fancy that during the nesting season there will be a strict separation. 



