192 1.] Birds of Lovjer Egypt. 263 



107. Caprimulgus segyptius saharae. Nightjai-. 



On 20 May, 19 IG, I sliot a female which had well-defined 

 incubation patches, at Abu Zabal. T never discovered eoos 

 or young, but saw another adult on 25 May near the same 

 place — the edge of the desert. In 1917 I again saw a pair 

 of birds in the same locality on 30 May and 4 July. A 

 systematic search^ however, brought no luck. I shot other 

 specimens, but appear to have mislaid the data, and the 

 skins are in the collection of the Cliza Museum or that of 

 Mr. J. L. Bonhote. 



[A pair shot on 25. v. 10 at Gattah had their reproductive 

 organs very much developed, but I failed to obtain any 

 eggs.— R.S.] 



108. Merops apiaster. 'European Bee-eater. 



Large numbers pass through Abu Zabal during both 

 migrations. Average dates 9 April and mid-September. 

 These birds roost in the same clumps of trees every year. 



109. Merops persicus persicus. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. 

 Large straggling flocks annually pass over Abu Zabal, 



sometimes at a great heioht and somewhat earlier than the 

 preceding species. It breeds at Iiichas in fair numbers, and 

 I have taken full clutches there on 12 May, which date is 

 very consistent. 



[This Bee-eater also breeds between Farash-hour and 

 Damietta ; also between Abu Hammad and Mahsama. 



In 1904 Mr. Malcolm took fresh eggs between 2-25 May. 



Atlnclias on 12. v. 09 I dug out several nest-holes, but the 

 birds had not laid. The last week in May is apparently the 

 time for full clutches, which range from four to six. — R. S.] 



110. Merops orientalis cleopatra. Green Bee-eater. 



Five seen on 17 October in the garden at Abu Zabal 

 is the only record I have for that place. It is, however, 

 fairly numerous round Caii-o in the winfer, and breeds no 

 farther south than Mazohouna, where I took fresh eggs 

 on 27 April, 1918. If is interesting to note that I found an 

 addled egg of the previous year in amongst a fresh clutch, 

 thus shov.ing that the same hole is sometimes used again as 

 a nesting-site. Some of their holes were on quite flat open 



