Capt. G. E. Shelley on Egyptian Ornithology. 49 



As I knew that A. bengalensis, a very closely allied species, 

 was to be found in Egypt, I brought back five specimens, all 

 of which, however, proved to belong to the present species, 

 though of a very constant small type. I include the measure- 

 ments, as some may like to compare them with those given by 

 Mr, Sharpe in his Monograph of the Kingfishers, part 9. Total 

 length in inches 6-97, bill from 1-50 to 1-56, wing in all five 

 specimens 2*97. 



48. Alcedo bengalensis, Gm. 



Mr. Lord brought home a specimen of this bird v/hich he 

 killed at Shoobra near Cairo, and which has been described by 

 Mr. Sharpe in his Monograph of the Kingfishers, part 9. 



49. Ceryle rudis (L.). Black and white Kingfisher. 

 This bird is very evenly distributed throughout Egypt and 



Nubia, and may be daily seen perched upon some steep bank, 

 or on a bough which has fallen into the water, or else hovering 

 with beak directed downwards over the stream, into which it 

 darts boldly after its finny prey. If unsuccessful, it goes through 

 the performance again and again. At other times it flies slowly, 

 close over the surface of the water. 



It begins breeding about the end of March, laying its eggs in 

 deep holes, which it drills in the steep river-bank. 



50. Upupa epops, L. Hoopoe. 



This bird is extremely plentiful throughout Egypt and Nubia, 

 frequenting the neighbourhood of villages, where it may be daily 

 seen perched upon a mud wall or bough singing its simple song 

 of " Poop, Poop, Poop," or else strutting along the ground with 

 dignified gait, stopping here and there to drive its beak into the 

 earth after its insect food. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, 1867, p. 56) states that he procurer 

 eggs and young in March. 



51. CucuLUS CANORUS, L. Common Cuckoo. 



Rai-e in Egypt. I only remember having heard this bird on 

 two occasions. I shot one on the 6th of April near Memphis. 

 It does not winter in Egypt. 



SER. III. VOL. I. E 



