SIX months' bird collecting in EGYPT. 10/ 



offal, of which the very stench alone is enough to breed a 

 pestilence. Scavengers they are, at once the most loath- 

 some and the most useful of winged animals on the face of 

 the earth. You may see them distended with dung, their 

 beaks reeking with gore, yet still tearing at the meal with 

 which they are already overgorged. You may see them 

 again at sunset congregating to roost ; and you see them 

 again next day still ravenous as ever to partake of that 

 which it is their office to remove. 



Second only to these harpies of the air are the Yellow- 

 billed Kites, in their usefulness in removing tainted matter, 

 and the Board of Health of Egypt, or in default of such an 

 institution, public opinion, has decreed to both protection. 

 They are as bold and audacious as birds would be which are 

 dependant on man for their living. 



The hovering Kestrel stands out in bold relief against the 

 sky, but the Sparrowhawk prefers to keep among the trees, 

 where he waits his opportunity to make prey of the White 

 Wagtail, which was so abundant a short time ago. The 

 Harriers also do not object to perch on trees, though it is 

 not their general rule. They like beating the fields better, 

 which they may be seen doing any day in April in a 

 workmanlike manner. The Marsh Harrier is commonest, 

 Swainson's second, then the Hen Harrier, and lastly 

 Montague's, which perhaps is accidental or only found on 

 migration. 



I have been led into somewhat lengthy remarks on the 

 Accipitirs ; of all families it is the one best represented in 

 Egypt ; so much so, that the most unobservant person can- 

 not fail to be struck with it. 



While my attendant is rolling a cigarette, I pause a 

 moment to wonder what goal all the thousands of pale 

 Egyptian Swifts which are careering by can have. They 

 pass by, but there is no check ; others take their place. Can 

 they who press on with such steady purpose stop short of 



