Bird Notes from the Nile. 43 



has a bright red beak, and its plumage is 

 tinged with pink, which in the breeding 

 season becomes much deeper and richer 

 in tone. The note of this bird is very 

 distinct and clear. 



Perhaps the most honoured feathered 

 guests at our camp near Aswan were a 

 pair of Blue Rock Thrushes, which 

 seemed to take great interest in our 

 excavations. Nearly every evening these 

 birds came round to inspect our day's 

 work. Alighting on the highest mound 

 of debris, they would strut about in a 

 most important way, at the same time 

 showing off their lovely indigo plumage 

 in the Hght of the setting sun. 



Another bird with a pleasant note is the 

 Bush Babbler. In Nubia especially they 

 may be heard chattering and "babbling" 

 where there is thick scrub on the river 

 banks. Though nearly as large as Thrushes, 

 with longish tails, they are difficult to see, 

 as they seem to be constantly hiding from 

 some chance enemy. 



Among the song birds I must not forget 

 the Larks. Perhaps above Thebes the 

 most common is the Crested Lark. One 



