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



180. Rhynch^a bengalbnsis (L.). Painted Snipe. 



Tiiis beautiful species is very plentiful at times in the Delta, 

 and is, I believe, occasionally met with throughout Egypt. It 

 may easily be killed, as it lies close and does not fly far when 

 disturbed. When we met with them towards the end of 

 February near Damietta, the females had their ovaries very much 

 advanced, and were evidently about to breed. 



181. Ibis religiosa, Cuv. Sacred Ibis. 



A list of Egyptian birds would appear incomplete without the 

 present species ; yet I do not know of any authenticated instance 

 of its having been killed in that country during the present 

 century. There can be no doubt that this species lived for- 

 merly in Egypt ; for the food that has been found in many of the 

 mummied specimens consists of shells, insects, and reptiles now 

 inhabiting the country. Some authors imagine that this birtl 

 was brought into the country by the ancient Egyptians; now 

 this appears to me highly improbable, as it would be the only 

 instance of an animal not indigenous to Egypt having been 

 made an object of general worship. If it formerly inhabited 

 Egypt, we may fairly expect to meet with it again, although 

 persecution may have greatly decreased its numbers. 



183. Ibis falcinellus (L.). Glossy Ibis. 



By no means abundant in Egypt. I only met with this 

 species on one occasion, near El Kab, on the 22nd of April, when 

 I saw three feeding together in a small pool, and procured two 

 of them. 



183. Grus ciNEREAj Bechst. Common Crane. 



I used to see immense flocks of these birds up to the middle 

 of March. 



184. Grus virgo. Pall. Demoiselle Crane. 



I met with a large flock of these birds on the 2ud of April 

 below Beuisooef, when, after in vain trying to stalk them for an 

 hour, I obtained a long shot as they flew over my head. I am 

 not aware of having seen them on any other occasion. 



185. CicoNiA ALBA, Bcchst. White Stork. 



During March and April I used to see immense numbers of 



