SIX months' bird collecting in EGYPT. 199- 



is one founded on fact, it is probable that Herodotus only 

 wrote from hearsay, and knew no more which bird it was 

 than we do. 



The Spur-winged Plover is stated in the Zoologist to 

 have occurred in England (Zool., 5041) — a mistake doubt- 

 less. 



161. White-tailed Plover, Chettusia villotcci 

 (Audouin). 



I bought a skin at Alexandria, but the only example we 

 met with ourselves was shot at Rackaba, near Damietta, 

 on the 30th of January, and being mistaken for a young 

 Ziczac (!) was thrust incontinently into a bag with other 

 game. A few years ago this was a very rare bird in 

 collections. 



162. Pluviamis cEgyptins (Linn.), (Hasselquist, 31.) 



This is one of the most delicately-coloured birds in Egypt, 

 and others like myself may call to mind the admiration 

 which their first specimen evoked. It is considered by 

 many to be the crocodile bird of Herodotus ; and Gould, in 

 his " Birds of Asia," makes it the faithful attendant on the 

 monsters.* I did not see very many in the Delta, nor for 

 some days south of Cairo. It was most abundant in 

 Middle Egypt as far as Girgeh, after which it became 

 scarcer again until we came to Silsilisv In the breeding, or 

 rather courting season, their actions are very amusing, and 

 as I often got very near them I could observe their strange 

 postures and attitudes. I think their colours fade a little 

 after they begin to breed, and their demeanour is sobered 

 by the responsibility of having chicks ; their boisterous 



' See my note under Spur-winged Plover. 



