292 Mr. M. J. 'NicoW—Coniributions 



All the Redbreasts that I have at present examined from 

 Gua belong to the pale-breasted greyish-backed form, wiiich 

 differs considerably from the British E. rubecula melophilus. 



25. Daulias luscinia (Linn.). 

 Philomela luscinia Shelley, p. 88. 



Nightingales begin to arrive in Giza towards the end of 

 March, and for about a fortnight they abound. Great 

 numbers frequent the Zoological Gardens, and I have seen 

 as many as fifteen together close to the verandah of my 

 house. Very soon after their arrival they commence to 

 sing. In the autumn I have only met with this species on 

 three occasions. I think that it is probable that the birds 

 follow a different route on their way south from that taken 

 on the passage northwards in spring. In addition to its 

 song the Nightingale utters in spring a curious shrill 

 squeak, unlike anything I have lieard in England. 



26. Daulias Philomela (Bechst.). 

 Fhilome'a major Shelley, p. 88. 



I have only twice met with the '' Sprosser " Nightingale 

 in Egypt. On May 5th, 1907, 1 w^atched an example perched 

 on a wire fence in the Zoological Gardens, and on November 

 1st, 1908, 1 obtained a specimen at Giza. The latter example 

 had both feet considerably swollen, and this probably had 

 retarded, its passage southward. 



27. Sylvia cinerea Bechst. 

 Sylvia cinerea Shelley, p. 111. 



The Whitethroat appears to be a spring and autumn 

 visitor in very small numbers. I saw a few during Apiil 

 1907 in the Zoological Gardens, and obtained an adult male 

 on the 12th of that month. I also have an adult female 

 shot by Capt. J. W. H. Seppings on the 17th of April, 

 1907, at Giza, where I shot another adult male in winter- 

 plumage on September 24th, 1908. 



28. Sylvia curruca (Linn.). 

 Sylvia curruca Shelley, p. 110. 



The Lesser Whitethroat is one of the most abundant 



