40 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Egyptian Omithuloyy. 



in the mountains of Aboo Fayde, where they were probably 

 breeding. 



4. Neophron percnopterus (L.). Egyptian Vulture. 

 Abundant throughout Egypt, where they may be daily seen 



feeding in pairs or in flocks, seeking ofFal round the villages, or 

 slaking their thirst upon the opposite mudbanks. 



The irides in the young are brown, changing with age to deep 

 crimson. The skin of the face in the adult is yellow, legs flesh- 

 colour. 



It appears that this species does not obtain its full plumage 

 and crimson irides until the fourth year*. 



5. BuTEO VULGARIS, Bcchst. Common Buzzard. 



By no means common in Egypt. We only shot this bird once, 

 in an acacia wood near Benisooef. 



6. BuTEG DESERTORUM, Daud. African Buzzard. 



It is highly probable that this bird is to be found in Egypt ; 

 but I do not know of any authentic instance of its having been 

 captured there. I believe that I saw one in Nubia perched 

 upon a small rocky island, some 40 yards from our boat, as we 

 sailed by before a strong breeze. 



7. BuTEG FERGx, Gui. Long-lcggcd Buzzard. 



I only met with a single specimen this year, although in 1868 

 it was very abundant, being rarely absent from any field where 

 Quail were numerous. It is a lazy bird, seldom flying far even 

 after being shot at, but soon alighting again upon some mound 

 or heap of maize-stalks, whence it watches the fields. Spe- 

 cimens vary considerably in size and colouring. A very fine 

 bird which I killed near Kom Ombos diff'ered from any I had 

 ])revi()usly seen in having the tail brown and distinctly barred. 

 They breed in Egypt in April. 



8. Aquila imperialis, Bechst. Imperial Eagle. 



This bird I believe to be more plentiful in Lower than in 

 Upper Egypt, 



* Natiu-al History and Arcliseology of the Nile Valley and Maltese 

 Islands, by Mr. A. L. Adams, p. 104. 



