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



78. Philomela luscinia (L.). Nightingale. 



Although the Nightingale may occasionally be heard in Egypt, 

 it is far from common. I only once saw a pair, and heard their 

 well-known notes while reposing during the heat of the day in 

 a small wood near Bedreshayn, towards the end of March. 



79. Aedon galactodes (Temm.). Rufous Sedge Warbler. 

 This bird appears in Egypt towards the end of March, and leaves 



again in September, during which time it may be frequently met 

 with wherever low thick covert affords it suitable shelter. It is 

 essentially a creeping bird, rarely showing itself in the open, 

 and when disturbed always flying to the nearest shelter. It is 

 very partial to banks where the rich and prickly herbage affords 

 it a safe retreat. In Nubia it is extremely abundant, where 

 it may frequently be seen upon the ground searching for food 

 at the foot of some thick young Date-palm. I have never 

 observed it perch more than a few feet from the ground, being 

 generally seen on it, where it loves to strut with tail erect, basking 

 its plumage in the sun. It builds a thin nest of grass, similar 

 to that of our Black -cap Warbler. 



80. Pseudoluscinia luscinoides (Savi.) Savi's Warbler. 



I met with this "bird on several occasions between Cairo and 

 Sioot, always in the high corn ; when flushed it flies hurriedly, 

 close over the tops of the waving crops for some thirty yards, 

 and then suddenly dips down and is hidden. After being dis- 

 turbed three or four times, it will creep among the stalks and 

 refuse to rise again, nor will it allow itself to be driven far from 

 where it originally started. I only brought home one specimen, 

 owing to the very great difficulty in obtaining birds. It rises 

 too close to be shot at at once, and then disappears suddenly ; 

 when killed is most difficult to find, as it always falls in the 

 thickest corn. 



81. BiiADYPTERUs CETTii (Ue La Marm.). Cetti's Warbler, 

 Keyserling and Blasius mention the occurrence of this bird in 



Egypt ; but I have never obtained it, although I believe I have 

 seen it on several occasions. 



82. Calamodyta schcenobtenus (L.). Sedge Warbler. 

 Not uncommon both in Egypt and Nubia. I have shot it 



