Capt. G. E. Shelley on Egyptian Ornithology. 315 



200. Gallinula chloropus (L.). Moor-Hen. 



I believe that the Moor-Hen is not very uncommon in Egypt. 

 I only observed it once in the Delta, on the 16th of February ; 

 although just out of shot I could not be mistaken in the bird, as 

 I watched it swim across a small sedgy pool. 



201. Rallus aquaticus, L. Water-Rail. 



Mr. E. C. Taylor tells me that he has seen this bird abundant 

 in the market at Alexandria, so that it is probably common in 

 the Delta. It is plentiful at Lake Fayoom. 



202. PoRZANA maruetta, Leach. Spotted Crake. 



Not uncommon in the Delta. I saw it on two occasions near 

 Damietta, and procured one specimen. 



203. Anser ^gyptiacus, Linn. Egyptian Goose. 



Very plentifully distributed throughout Egypt and Nubia. 

 It breeds along the banks of the Nile in March. In the 

 beginning of May I shot some fine young birds. 



204. Anser albifrons, Gm. White-fronted Goose. 



This is the most abundant Goose on the Nile, where it may 

 often be met with in large flocks. I have shot it on several 

 occasions in February and March, but have rarely seen it later, 

 as it does not breed there. 



205. Anas boschas, L. Common Wild Duck. 



Very abundant throughout Egypt and Nubia, and remains to 

 breed. 



206. Anas strepera, L. Gadwall. 



Not very abundant. We once met with a small flock and 

 killed one out of it, near El Kab, on the 26th of February. 



207. Tadorna vulpanser, Fleming. Common Sheldrake. 

 The only authentic Egyptian specimen of this bird that I 



have seen was shot this year by Mr. Josceline Amherst, 



Mr. S. S. Allen (Ibis, 1864, p. 241) observes that it is often 

 brought to the market at Alexandria. 



208. Tadorna rutila (Pall,). Ruddy Sheldrake. 

 By no means common. 



(Ibis, 1867, p. 71.) Mr. E. C. Taylor's party shot one 

 specimen. 



