Dr. A. L. Adams on the Birds of Egypt and Nubia. 29 



points on the Arabian side of the desert, between Syene and 

 Cairo. 



j3i]gialites minor. 



Is plentifully distributed over the shallows of the river, even 

 in Nubia. ]\Iuddy fields, after the subsidence of the river, are 

 favourite resorts of this little Plover. Neither yE. hiaticula nor 

 any other species was observed. 



PlUVIANUS ^GYPTIUS. 



To this species, as well as the Spur-winged Lapwing, the name 

 Zic-Zac is applied by the natives, who, in bird-nomenclature 

 as in other subjects, evince no great accuracy or perception. 

 Every bird of the shape of a Goose or Duck is a " Wiz," ac- 

 cording to their naming. It is not easy to see the reason why 

 they should apply the above to the Black-headed Plover, unless 

 that it frequents the same situations, and is consequently mis- 

 taken for the other, as this handsome Plover has neither in 

 plumage nor voice any similarity to the Spurwing. The Black- 

 headed Plover is usually seen in pairs, and breeds about March ; 

 its flight is rapid, and call loud and piping. One series of notes, 

 when alarmed, resemble the words chip-chip-hoit, which it utters 

 on wing, as it wheels past your boat and settles on the bank. 

 It is not at all common above the First Cataract, owing to the 

 absence of sand-banks and islands. 



HOPLOPTERUS SPINOSUS. 



Is very closely allied to the Lapwings {Vanellus, Brisson), both 

 in appearance and habits. There appears to me better reason for 

 considering this species the Trochilos of Herodotus ^ than the 

 last, inasmuch as the well-known narrative of the Greek histo- 

 rian, strange to say, is still current among the Egyptians, and 

 with reference to this bird, which they state, in its capacity of 

 leech-catcher to the Crocodile t; is sometimes shut up within the 

 jaws of the animal when the latter falls asleep on a sand-bank. 

 On such occasions the Zic-Zac (^1 J:, from its call) applies his 

 spurs to the interior of the Crocodile's mouth, by way of re- 



* B. i. 68. 



t Burckhax'dt says it feeds likewise on the digested food thrown up by 

 the Crocodile. (' Travels in Nubia') 



