Dr. A. L. Adams on the Birds of Egypt and Nubin. 5 



banks, where the river's deposit is prevented from accumulating, 

 except at bends and openings out in its course. There are banks 

 of alluvium, covered with dates and patches of cultivation. How 

 long the Nile has maintained its present level we cannot conjec- 

 ture ; like its avifauna, there has been no apparent change within 

 the historical period *. On the verge of the cultivated parts are 

 seen the mud-hovels of the natives, and still higher is a plateau 

 covered with stones and drifted sand ; but if you dig a few inches 

 a reddish soil will be found, among which are strewn abundance 

 of Unionidse, Cycladidse, and Paludinidse, identical with species 

 now living in the river ; many of the first [jEtheria) are found 

 attached to the old rocky bottom. In vain we surmise when 

 " Father Nile" covered that flatf, on which nought is now seen 

 exepting an occasional White-capped and Black Chat or a 

 solitary Stone Plover. Still further on the fine yellowish-white 

 sand of the desert is seen, in drifts and wreaths, on the flanks of 

 isolated conical hills, which break in some degree the eternal 

 sameness of the country. In that wide, wild wilderness the 

 Hyena, Fox, and Ichneumon prowl, and the Gazelle has its 

 midday retreat, until dusk, when all move towards the river's 

 bank, to feed after their various ways. Such is Nubia near the 

 Second Cataract; further southwards, of course, the interest 

 in the fauna, flora, and geological aspect increases; but, as 

 already stated, the Second Cataract formed the ultima Thule of 

 my wanderings. The late valuable contributions to the orni- 

 thology of the Upper Nile, by Dr. Heuglin, show what diligent 

 labour will accomplish ; he has, besides, given us much informa- 

 tion concerning certain Egyptian birds which frequent that 

 country during summer. The defect in our knowledge of the avi- 

 fauna of Egypt is, I believe, that we are in possession of lists of 

 birds procured during the cold months, but that there is no con- 

 nected account to show the time of arrival and departure of indi- 



* Much interesting information on this head was collected by my late 

 lamented friend and companion, Mr. Rhind, whose labours in Egypt and 

 elsewhere are familiar to every student of archaeology. 



t I found freshwater shells at various levels in Nubia. At Der, shells 

 were met with at an elevation of 110 feet above the highest Nile of the 

 present day. (See Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. of Loudon, 1863.) 



