146 Capt. G. E. Shelley on Egijptiaa Ornithology. 



ornithological prizes to be obtained in Egypt, and the lake near 

 Erment, where it is yearly to be met with, was given as its only 

 known locality. 



The Rev. A. C. Smith, in his book entitled 'The Attractions 

 of the Nile,^ mentions having shot it in Nubia. Latterly it 

 has been found to be plentiful in the Delta, where I met with 

 it myself about the middle of February, near Damietta, in pairs 

 and flocks, and have no doubt that it breeds there. It was by 

 no means shy, and showed a predilection for certain spots, to 

 which, when driven away, it would genei-ally soon return. 



A specimen of this bird, killed at Malta, has been figured and 

 described by Mr. C. A. Wright (Ibis, 1865, p. 459). 



155. Pluvianus ^gyptius (L.). Black-headed Plover. 

 This species is most abundant in Upper Egypt, from Sioot to 



Thebes, almost invariably in pairs ; yet I doubt if it breeds before 

 May. Birds of this species are never met with far from the river- 

 bank, and when on the wing invariably fly close over the surface 

 of the water, frequently uttering their cry during flight. They 

 look extremely handsome as they thus skim along the stream with 

 outspread pinions, and display their distinctly marked plumage 

 to the greatest advantage. 



156. Charadrius pluvialis, L. Golden Plover. 

 Abundant at times in some parts of the Delta. Towards the 



end of February we killed several near Damietta. 



157. ^GiALiTES GEOFFROYi (Waglcr). Large Sand-Plover. 

 Obtained by Mr. Cavendish Taylor in the market at Alexandria. 

 A bird of this description would certainly not be brought from 



far to the Alexandrian market, so that this specimen may safely 

 be regarded as Egyptian, having probably been shot in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of the town. I know of no other 

 specimen having been obtained in Egypt. 



It has been well figured and described by Mr. J. E. Harting 

 (Ibis, 1870, p. 378). 



158. tEgialites cantianus (Lath.). Kentish Plover. 

 Very abundant throughout Egypt, and also to be met with 



in Nubia. 



