126 FAUNA AND FLORA OF PALESTINE. 



288. Gallimila chloropits. (Linn. Syst. Nat. i., p. 258.) Moorhen. 

 The Moorhen is very common in all suitable localities at all times of 



the year. 



It is found throughout Europe ; and the Moorhens of Africa down to 

 the Cape, and of Asia to Japan, the Philippines, Celebes, Java, and Borneo 

 scarcely differ, though they have been discriminated. The American 

 Moorhen is also very nearly allied to the Old World form. 



289. Fulica atra. Linn. Syst. Nat. i., p. 257. Coot. Arab., s^, 

 Ghurrali. 



The Coot is common in all the waters of any extent in the country, 

 and in the streams and fountains by the Dead Sea. 



The Coot is found through Europe, Asia, the greater part of Africa, 

 and Australia. 



ORDER, ALECTORIDES. 



FAMILY, GRUID^. 



290. Griis comvinnis. Bechst. Vog. Deutsch. iii., p. 60. Crane. 

 Heb., n^Jy. Arab., ^</, Kirki. 



Large flocks of Cranes spend the winter in the open plains and downs 

 of Southern Judeea, but I have never been able to find any evidence of 

 their remaining to breed. The Cranes appear to have fixed roosting- 

 places. There is one near Moladah, south-west of the Dead Sea, and 

 another not many miles south-east of Gaza. Towards sunset the birds 

 begin to return home, flying in order like Geese, with outstretched necks, 

 keeping up a ceaseless trumpeting, which continues till morning, with only 

 an occasional lull. During the whole night there is a succession of fresh 

 arrivals. The howl of some wandering Jackal would rouse the whole 

 camp ; then, after a slight pause, the wail of an Hyaena awakened a 

 deafening chorus, and before daylight began an angry discussion, perhaps 

 on the next day's journey. Parties of some hundreds departed for the 

 south with the dawn ; others remained, probably to make up for their 

 broken slumber, till the sun had risen for a couple of hours. The 



