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



freshing the memory of the latter that his faithful henchman is 

 within, when the monster^s jaws reopen immediately, as if his 

 reptilian majesty was sorry for his obliviousness. This addition 

 to the old story was given me on good authority, as being very 

 generally believed among the Nile boatmen. As to the Black- 

 headed Plover, I see no cause to sustain its claim in preference 

 to this species, nor even to the Common Sandpiper and other 

 small aquatic birds which frequent the sand-banks along with 

 Crocodiles. The Spurwing is usually seen in pairs, but it does not 

 breed until March and April. The noisome and garrulous voice 

 of the Zic-Zac has gained it notoriety with Egyptian travellers. 

 Its loud calls, as it stands on a sand-bank jerking its head up 

 and down, or wheeling in circles overhead, serve as a warning to 

 the Crocodile to seek his muddy bed, and many a wary bird to 

 be on the look-out. What Nile voyager who, in vain attempts 

 to outmano3uvre a flock of Geese, has not had his whole labour 

 lost by this prattling intruder ? 



Vanellus cristatus. 



Replaces the last species to a great extent in Upper Egypt 

 and Nubia. It is common in flocks in fields and along the 

 river-banks, and is remarkably mute during the winter months, 

 its well-known "pee-wit" being seldom heard. It is the head 

 of a Lapwing that is represented on the hieroglyphic figures 

 upon the "augural stafi"" of the gods. This species is also called 

 Zic-Zac by the natives. 



Grus cinerea. 



Was often seen in large flocks in Lower Egypt. Among the 

 interesting zoological scenes depicted on the walls of the tombs 

 at Beni Hassan is a flock of these birds being driven along with 

 other royal presents. Horapollo says, " When they wished to 

 signify a man skilled in heavenly matters, they drew a Crane 

 flying." The great altitude this bird often gains may have 

 suggested that idea. The hieroglyphic figure alluded to appears 

 to me to resemble more the Cormorant than the Crane. 



CiCONIA ALBA. 

 CiCONIA NIGRA. 



The Great White Heron is often observed in Lower Egypt in 



