360 Mr. S. S. Allen 07i the Birds of Egypt. 



was covered with tlie remains of dragon-flies, &c. (mostly wings), 

 upon which the eggs were deposited. These were of a pure 

 white, nearly round, and about 10 lines in length. The great- 

 est number found in any one nest was three ; but the birds 

 had evidently only just begun to lay (many of the holes being 

 unfinished), so that we were unable to ascertain what is the 

 usual number deposited. More than forty holes were opened, 

 but only eleven eggs obtained. In the vicinity of every hole 

 were numbers of pellets, formed of the wings and other indi- 

 gestible parts of dragon-flies, butterflies, beetles, &c., which had 

 been cast up by the Bee-eaters in the same manner as Hawks 

 and Owls. 



We endeavoured to keep two birds alive, which were caught 

 in their holes, but unsuccessfully, for they died the next day. 



3. Black-and-white Kingfisher [Ceryle rudis). 



This bird is very common both in Upper and Lower Egypt, 

 and remains in the country throughout the year. 



Every suitable spot along the river bank is tenanted by a pair 

 of Kingfishers, who seldom go far from home, and always evince 

 a decided preference for some one particular perch, generally the 

 dead branch of a tree, upon which they sit, side by side, when 

 not employed in tishing. When seeking food, this bird flies a 

 little distance, and then stops, remaining poised in the air, with 

 fluttering wings and bill pointed downwards, until a fish comes 

 within sight, when it drops like a stone, disappearing quite 

 under the water. Having secured its prey, the Kingfisher flies 

 off to his perch to eat it, — first, however, killing the fish by 

 striking its head smartly on the ground several times. Another 

 favourite article of food with this bird is a small bivalve mol- 

 lusk which abounds in some of the canals in the Delta. The 

 note is a twittering cry, which is seldom heard during the day ; 

 but towards evening they become more lively, chasing and call- 

 ing to each other. When not fishing, they fly low, close to the 

 surface of the water. The feathers of the occij^ut are elongated, 

 forming a distinct crest, which is elevated when the bird is 

 frightened. The sexes are alike in plumage. The irides are 

 dark brown ; the bill, legs, and feet black, the two outside toes 

 being united for half their length. 



