3°



Lady Wm. Cecil,



plains where the sand is paler. Some observers found these

birds in Upper Egypt lighter in colour than those in Lower

Egpyt. Those I have taken note of appear to vary more with

the soil than with the latitude.


Among the smaller birds found in the desert is the Desert

Bullfinch or Trumpeting Finch (. Eiythrospiza githdginea). Its

colouring is very distinct, the pale mottled brown plumage being

shaded with rich pink, which in the breeding season deepens

to a crimson rose-colour. Trumpeters are generally met with in

small flocks, often a long distance from the Nile. They invade

the plains of Thebes, and other grain-growing districts when the

corn is ripe, and at other times the desert is their home. In the

stretches of sand in the valleys near the Tombs of the Kings, I

have seen them in large numbers. Also between Aswan and

Shellal near the ancient wall, (the date of which, by the way, has

never yet been determined) we met several flocks, constantly, and

also many miles further into the desert. They build in low

bushes and in stunted sont trees, and in the Spring time, their

distinct, clear note may continually be heard.


The Tawny Pipit ( Anthus campestris ) is another ‘‘child of

the desert.” So like their habitation are they, that, although

they are larger than larks, they are extremely difficult to see,

unless they are moving. They became very friendly with us,

and came constantly to visit our camp, like the Desert Larks.


The Rock Thrush ( Monticola saxatilis ) with the coat of

tender shades of grey and brown and deep rufous, is a beautiful

bird. All the winter it may be found, but in Egypt and Nubia it

is not common. We found it at Illalium and at Gebelain, at

Kalabsheh, and among the rocks at Gerf Husein. The Blue

Rock Thrush ( Monticola cyanea) is perhaps the most fascinating

of desert birds. It is less shy than the Rock Thrush, and a pair

of them came almost daily to our “diggings” at the Goubat El

Hawa. They became marvellously tame. Each afternoon they

sang to us as we worked, perched on a black rock set in the

sand of burnished gold, the slanting sunbeams bringing out in

its full beauty the dark indigo, and bright sapphire of their sleek

plumage. And what a voice the handsome little gentleman had



