30 Bird Notes from the Nile. 



outspread, and, like the author of 

 ** Barbary," 



'• I marvell'd so ill birds possessed such glorious 

 wings." 



The larger Vultures are more common in 

 Middle Egypt than in Upper Egypt. Once 

 when crossing the desert we watched the 

 descent of the Vultures on a dead camel. 

 Some had already reached the spot and 

 others were rapidly swooping down, while 

 in the sky hundreds were approaching from 

 all directions like tiny specks in the clouds, 

 summoned by the birds of each extending 

 circle to the gruesome feast. 



In Khartoum, all vultures are strictly 

 protected by Government, as they are so 

 useful in clearing away refuse. 



The Long-eared Owls are found in 

 Egypt throughout the year. They often 

 perched on our tents at night and woke 

 us with their hooting. The Short-eared 

 Owls are said only to be in the country in 

 winter. In the middle of March, while 

 quail shooting near Kom Ombo, we saw 

 five of these sitting close together — a very 

 sweet sight. They all got up at the 

 approach of the beaters. V^e saw the 



