BIEDS OF EGYPT. 245 



Entire length 175 inches; culmen 35 ; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 8'2 ; tarsus 2"Z. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 303. 



246. NuMENius TENUiROSTRis, Vicill. Slender-billed Curlew. 



The present species is usually to be met with on the Nile 

 during the spring and autumn ; yet, according to Captain 

 Loche, it breeds there in the marshes amongst the grass. In 

 habits it is shy and usually frequents the more desert flats 

 by the side of large lakes. Von Heuglin mentions having 

 seen a large flock in the desert near Alexandria (Syst. Ueb. 

 p. 62). 



Very similar in plumage to N. arquata but much smaller 

 and more mealy-looking. The chest is white, and the spots 

 on the underparts are pear-shaped. It may at once be re- 

 cognized from N. phaopus by its not having a dark crown, as 

 well as by the colour of the axillaries and under wing-coverts, 

 which are pure white. 



Entire length 148 inches j cidmen 3; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 9 ; tarsus 2*3. 



Fig. Sharpe and Dresser, B. of Eur. part iii. • 



247. LiMOSA jEgocephala (L.). Black-tailed Godwit. 



The present species is a winter visitant, ranging throughout 

 Egypt and Nubia, and is by no means imcommon in Lower 

 Egypt and the Fayoom, where I have frequently shot it. It 

 is generally to be met with in small flocks, though often 

 singly, feeding in company with Redshanks, Ruffs, and other 



