Reminiscences of Egypt. 49 



4]. Erythrospiza githaginea. Vinous Grosbeak. 

 Gould's Birds of Europe, vol. iii. pi. 208. 



Tolerably abundant; frequenting the open country, and the 

 borders of the desert, in small flocks. I never saw this bird 

 settle on trees, but always on the ground. Bill bright red. 

 Legs and feet pale brown. 



43. Sturnus vulgaris. Common Starling. 

 This bird was seen and shot on one occasion only, in Lower 

 Egypt, near Cairo. 



43. CoRVUS corax. Raven. 

 Occasionally seen, but not abundant. 



44. Corvus cornix. Hooded Crow. 

 Excessively abundant, and very bold and fearless. 



45. Upupa epops. Hoopoe. 



One of the commonest birds in Egypt, especially abounding 

 in the vicinity of the towns and villages. In the month of 

 January I used to notice these birds entering the holes in the 

 crude brick walls ; I frequently dug them out, but never found 

 any eggs. We found the Hoopoe a very good bird to eat. I 

 have occasionally seen it in various parts of France and Italy ; 

 but the only place in Europe where I have found it at all abun- 

 dant is the neighbourhood of Catania in Sicily. 



46. Centropus senegalensis. Straight-heeled Coucal. 

 Only one specimen obtained, which I shot near Atfeh. This 



species was not seen by us on any other occasion. Irides red. 

 Legs and feet greenish grey. No species of the genus Centropus 

 is included in European ornithology. 



47. CucuLUS glandarius. Great Spotted Cuckoo. 

 Frequently seen and shot, but not very abundant. 



RASORES. 



48. Columba schimperi. Schimper's Pigeon. 



Bp. Consp. vol. ii. p. 48. 

 Excessively abundant all through the country in a semi- 

 domesticated state ; inhabiting the dove-cotes, which are the 



VOL. I. E 



