6 Dr. A. L. Adams on the Birds of Egypt and Nubia. 



vidua! species, and the influence of local circumstances as to food, 

 climate, or the inundation, in hastening their migrations, — in- 

 formation which can only be obtained by persons resident in 

 the country throughout the year. Of the vast numbers of mi- 

 gratory birds which cross the Mediterranean twice annually, a 

 small portion come in the way, and make a temporary resting- 

 place of Malta, affording us the means of comparing them with 

 those of North Africa. With reference to the birds found 

 abundant in Egypt during my excursion, the following arrive 

 in Malta in great numbers in March, April, and May : — the 

 Kestrel, Pale-chested Harrier, Black Swift (this arrives in the 

 latter part of April, and remains all the summer), House-Swallow 

 (evidently however not from Egypt, as will be seen in the sequel). 

 Hoopoe, Willow Wren, Chiff-chaff, Greater and Lesser White- 

 throat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Red-throated Pipit, Yellow Wag- 

 tail, Pied and Boarula Wagtails, Linnet, and Quail. They come 

 in either singly or in flocks ; sometimes the little wanderers, un- 

 conscious of obstructions in their way, strike against the walls 

 of the fortress and lighthouses at night. Again, during gales, 

 the smaller birds may be seen drifting before them, and Quails 

 in numbers coming in, flying within a few feet of the sea, whilst 

 the large birds, such as Hawks, &c., are usually observed at 

 high altitudes. 



The birds contained in the following list were either shot by 

 myself or verified from collections of fellow-travellers, long 

 experience having taught me that the pernicious custom of 

 identifying birds on wing, or from casual examination, cannot 

 be too strongly reprobated ; there are, of course, exceptions to be 

 made where circumstances warrant. The above habit unfortu- 

 nately grows on individuals, and more so with the roving tra- 

 veller who takes to the study of natural history as an occu- 

 pation, or with him who observes in the midst of his more im- 

 portant duties. Evei'y naturalist, old and young, should remem- 

 ber the words of the Mantuau bard — 



"O formose puer! nimium ne crede eolori." 



Such species, in my collection, concerning the names of which I 

 have any doubts, I take the liberty of forwarding to Dr. Sclatcr, 



