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



winter uiouths, migrating to Europe in spring. iElian* says the 

 Egyptians respected the Hoopoe for its love of its young (?). In 

 the " bird-writing " it signifies a " brick/' perhaps from its dis- 

 position to perch on the crude brick walls of the native huts. 

 On the wall of one of the famous tombs at Beni Hassan a bird- 

 catcher is seen hauling his clap-net, which is filled with Geese 

 and Ducks, whilst on a tree by his side, among other birds of 

 the country, is the Belted Kingfisher, Hoopoe, and Pied Wagtail. 

 The latter, excepting a little exaggeration in colouring, has been 

 drawn with great accuracy. The Hoopoe is exceedingly well 

 done, and, in common with many of the other delineations, 

 retains the brightness'of its colouring, although at least 3800 

 years have gone by. It is interesting to observe that the fami- 

 liar tenants of the Nile Valley in those days were the same as 

 now ; possibly they may at present be more plentiful, as Egypt 

 was evidently then more densely populated by the human race. 



Phylloscopus trochilus. 



Several specimens. were procured in Nubia in January. I think 

 it may turn out to be common in Egypt likewise, as I have 

 reason to think I overlooked it in consequence of its similarity 

 to the next species. 



Phylloscopus rufus. 



Measurements of many procured in "Nubia and Egypt, from 

 the beginning of November to the end of January, showed the 

 length of males to average in the flesh 4|^ in., females 4^^. 

 This is evidently only a winter visitor, arriving fi'om Europe in 

 vast numbers towards the latter end of September. I have 

 heard its characteristic call as late as the beginning of November 

 at Cairo. The numbers of this bird in the dhurra-fields, gar- 

 dens, &c., up to the end of February are surprising. Its note 

 is changed in winter to a " hoit," like that of the Willow Wren, 

 but not so strong and loud. P. bonellii I have procured in 

 Malta in spring during its migration northwards, but failed to 

 meet with it in the Nile Valley. 



Sylvia melanocephala. 



The Sardinian Warbler is very common in -Nubia, frequenting 

 * Nat. An. x. 16. 



