124 BIEDS or EGYPT. 



84. CoTYLE RIP ARIA (Linn.). Sand-Martin. 



This bird arrives in Egypt in great abundance in March, 

 and towards the end of April commences breeding in colonies 

 in the banks by the river side. It is extremely partial to the 

 neighbourhood of water, and may be constantly seen skim- 

 ming over the surface in its graceful flight, at times just 

 touching the surface sufficiently to raise a slight ripple, or 

 dashing rapidly after its mate in the exuberance of its 

 spirits. 



Upper parts and a broad collar on the chest mouse-colour, 

 palest towards the tail ; remainder of the underparts white ; 

 beak black ; legs brown ; irides dark brown. 



Entire length 4*6 inches ; culmen 0*2 ; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 3-7 ; tarsus 045. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eui-. pi. 58. 



85. Cottle minor. Cab. 



According to Von Heuglin (Orn. N. 0. Afr. p. 167) this 

 bird inhabits Egypt and Nubia, and breeds in colonies in the 

 river banks, like C. riparia, between the months of February 

 and May. 



I have never seen this species myself ; and Mr. Sharpe, who 

 has written a complete ]\Ionograph of the African Swallows 

 (P. Z. S. 1S70, p. 303), has not been able to make it out 

 satisfactorily. For the better elucidation of the species, I 

 quote his remarks as follows : — " According to Dr. Cabanis 

 this Martin approaches C. riparia and C. palmtris in form 

 and colour, but is larger than the former and smaller than 

 the latter, and differs from both in the form of the tail, and 



