on Birds observed in Southern Palestine. 23 



that which, up to the present time, is a desideratuui in our 

 knowledge of geographical ornithology. 



1. Gypaetos (barbatus ?). 



The Lainmer Geyer was several times observed sailing over 

 the high mountain-passes west of the Jordan; but as no spe- 

 cimen was obtained, it cannot be decided whether it was the 

 Gyp. barbatus, or the variety or species, Grjp. nudipes, with the 

 lower part of the tarsus bare. 



2. Gyps fulvus. 



Common in all the hill-country of Judsea, and observed 

 breednig in some ravines near the Dead Sea, and also between 

 Jerusalem and Jericho. 



3. Neophron percnopterus. 



Universally distributed, and equally abundant in the plains of 

 Sharon and the naked hill-district of the south. Breeds in 

 great numbers in the valley of the Kedron, heaping up its 

 enormous nest of sticks, rubbish, and old rags, on every con- 

 venient ledge. While the adult bn-d was to be seen through 

 the whole country, I never observed a single specimen in the 

 sombre livery of youth. One very fine bird paid the penalty 

 of its curiosity, while we were sitting on a rock, at luncheon, on 

 the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It made several swoops as 

 though anxious to share our chicken, and hovering over us, fell 

 dead at a discharge of No. 7 shot. 



4. Aquila chrysaetos. 



Not uncommon. One sitting on a loose rock permitted me 

 to approach near enough to ascertain its species. 



5. Aquila n^evia. 



One bird w^as shot. It appears to be the commonest species 

 in the rocky districts. 



6. Aquila heliaca. 



I believe I saw this bird perched on a little island on the 

 north side of the Dead Sea. I was not able to obtain a 

 specimen. 



7. Circaetos gallicus. 



Noticed preying on large lizards on the hills near Bethlehem. 



