52 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Egyptian Ornitholugy. 



similar ; but it is a larger bird, and the bill is stouter in propor- 

 tion to its size. The sexes are similar in plumage. 



64. Saxicol V AURiTA, Temm., var. lihica, Hempr. & Ehr. 

 This Wheatear, like S. euryrnelcbna, is a non-resident in Egypt, 



arriving there in March, where it frequents the cultivated por- 

 tions of the country. 



65. Saxicola eurymel^na, Hempr. & Ehr. 



This is the common Egyptian form of S. stapazina, from which 

 it chiefly differs in the greater extent of black on the throat. It 

 is tolerably abundant, frequenting the cultivated land, especially 

 in the neighbourhood of cotton-plantations, which offer it a 

 favourable retreat when pursued. It arrives in Egypt in March. 



QQ. Saxicola xanthomel^na, Hempr. & Ehr. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor obtained the only specimen of this bird 1 

 know of from Egypt. It is very closely allied to the last species, 

 from which it differs in the absence of black feathers on the 

 forehead, and in the crown of the head and back being more 

 yellow and brighter in colour. 



C)7. Saxicola deserti, Riipp. Desert Chat. 



This species is resident in Egypt throughout the winter. 



68. Saxicola homochroa, Tristr. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor shot one of these rare Chats near Cairo. 

 This species was first described by the Rev. H. 13. Tristram 

 (Ibis, 1859, p. 59). 



69. Saxicola lugens, Licbt. Mourning Chat. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor says (Ibis, 1867, p. 60) "This is the most 

 abundant of all the Chats near Cairo in the winter." Personally 

 I only met with it on two occasions, in the desert near Cairo and 

 among the rocks near El Kab. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



70. Saxicola monacha, Riipp. 



We came across a small colony of these birds at El Kab, where 

 we obtained a male and female in full breeding-plumage on the 

 26th of February. I never met with another specimen during 

 either of my tours, althotigh I believe it remains in the country 



