Dr. A. L. Adams on the Birds of Egypt and Nubia. 27 



TURTUR SENEGALENSIS. 



Universally distributed over the habitable parts of Egypt and 

 Nubia. Breeds in Cairo and other towns in the lower country. 

 Horapollo says, when the ancients wished to represent " a woman 

 who remains a widow till death," they drew a black Dove. 

 Neither Doves nor Pigeons have been found embalmed. 



Pterocles exustus. 



Is common in Upper Egypt, where, with the other species, it 

 is known by the native name " Gutta." Its pointed tail and 

 black belly distinguish it on wing, when it is likewise recognized 

 (as, indeed, are all the Sand-Grouse) by its continual gur- 

 gling call. The various species live much in the same way, re- 

 pairing to the desert during the day, and the young wheat fields, 

 &c., at dusk and early morn. They feed extensively on the 

 dhurra. This Pintail breeds in June ; its nest is simply a hole 

 in the sand, with a circle of dried grass to preserve the shape. 

 Several old nests were seen near Ombos, below the Pirst Cataract. 

 The wounded bird spreads out its tail and wings, hiding its head 

 under the breast, and emits a series of chuckles, like a fowl. 

 Although its flight is strong, it is not difficult to shoot, provided 

 the sportsman is not too precipitate. As I found in India, its 

 flesh is very dry ; indeed such is the case with all the family : the 

 only passable way of making them fit for the table is by re- 

 moving the skin before they are cooked. 



Pterocles coronatus, Licht. 



The only occasion I met with this handsome Sand-Grouse was 

 whilst seated among the rocks of the Second Cataract, watching 

 Vultures devouring a camel. A flock alighted on a sand-bank, 

 and rushed in a body to the water, and drank like Pigeons. I 

 was fortunate in being enabled to bag two brace on that occa- 

 sion. The measurements of both sexes were alike, being in length 

 12 inches. I saw P. senegalensis often on wing, and identified 

 several specimens in collections made in the Thebaid. I could 

 not learn that P. alchata has been met with in the country. 



Gallus, sp. 



The bird called " Chick " by antiquaries, and which repre- 

 sents the vowel o or u, as in the Oval of Shofo, is probably the 



