Correspondence



91



which should, in most cases, prove sufficient for a preliminary identifica¬

tion. In this connexion we may, perhaps, be permitted to point out

one error. The collar of the adult Ringed Plover is stated to be black

in summer and brown in winter ; whereas the brown collar is a mark

of immaturity. The same statement is made respecting the Little

Ringed Plover.


We regret that Mr. Nicoll has to record the virtual extinction in

Egypt of the Egyptian Plover, which was probably the most

characteristic and beautiful bird in the country, though, by way of

compensation, we note that the Buff-backed Egret has increased in

numbers since it has received protection from the plume-hunters.


Newton, basing his conclusion on the character of its very limited

resident avifauna, included Egypt in the Ethiopian region, whereas

Wallace and Mr. Nicoll assign it to the Palaearctic. The great interest

of the ornithology of Egypt lies in the fact that the Nile Valley is a

main highway of migration between the Palaearctic and Ethiopian

regions, and that into it converge both Eastern and Western Palsearctic

forms. We hope that in the near future Mr. Nicoll will be able to

give us fuller particulars of migration in Egypt than he has been able

to cite in the present work.


The book is illustrated with eight somewhat inartistic coloured

plates, and twenty-four black and white ones from photographs of skins.

These latter include an interesting series of eleven plates of the species

of Chats occurring in Egypt. It would, however, have been well if

the exact provenance and dates of collection of the specimens figured

had been given.


W. Eagle Clarke.



WANTED—A BIRD CAMERA


Dear Dr. Renshaw,— It is somewhat difficult to advise

Capt. Rattigan on the choice of a natural history camera without

knowing exactly the branch of the work he desires to take up.


If he wishes to specialize in what one may term the “ wait and

see ” branch, entailing the use of hiding tents and other forms of

camouflage, a stand camera is frequently more useful than a hand

camera. Should he wish, however, to take up more general work,



