28 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 



lapping the feather next behind it, as shown in 

 figures Nos. 4 and 5. But Fig. 3 shows how the 

 ancients thought birds should have their feathers 

 placed, back and front, both identical. In all 

 humility, I have once or twice pointed this out to 

 devout Egyptologists, but they pass it over. " A 



Fig. 5. 



Drawing of the primary quills of a Hawk, from Nature. Seen from 

 the under surface to show the overlap of the feathers. 



mere convention," they say ; " they always render 

 wings so ; worship, worship ! " 



Mr. J. H. Gurney says that Egyptian Kestrels 

 are certainly bolder than the British, and that he 

 has "seen one swoop at a Booted Eagle," and 

 another '* feather a Hooded Crow which ventured 

 too near its nest." He also draws attention to its 

 size, and I think that it is certainly frequently of 

 smaller dimensions than those at home ; indeed, on 



