SIX months' bird collecting in egypt. 229 



198. Tufted Duck, Ftdigida cristata (Linn.); " Zurk." 

 Two were shot in the Delta.* 



199. Little Gull, Lams viiniitus, Pall. 



Mr. Russell saw what I have no doubt was a bird of this 

 species with some Terns at the Faioum. 



Sharpe and Dresser have referred the Lams Dorhignyi 

 of Audouin, figured in the "Description de I'Egypte," to the 

 Little Gull. I believe it to be the Black Tern, for the 

 following reasons. It agrees in size ; the toes are so divided 

 that there is but very little web ; the tail is more forked 

 than a Little Gull's ; and the back is much blacker. It is a 

 young bird of some sort or other, and the description " red 

 legs" would not apply to a young Lams mituitus more 

 than to a Black Tern. Neither species is common in the 

 country. My father, however, thinks that it is more likely 

 to be a young White-winged Tern. 



200. Black-headed Gull, Lams ridibundiis, Linn. 



A great many seen in Lower Egypt, but I am not sure 

 whether they were all of this species. It was only positively 

 identified at Menzaleh and Benha. 



201, Great Black-headed Gull, Lams icJithy actus, 

 Pall.; "Hin." 



I must say I was disappointed with this royal Sea-Gull 

 •when I saw him at Pelican-point, Damietta. To my mind 



'* Since returning to England I have heard from M. Filliponi that he 

 obtained a pair of the White-headed Duck (Erismatiira kiicocephala) 

 on lake Menzaleh. 



