BIRDS OF EGYPT. 255 



259. ToTANTJS CALiDRis, Linn. Redshank. 



Rare on the Nile above Cairo, but very abundant in the 

 Delta and the rayoom, where it is generally to be met with in 

 scattered flocks throughout the more marshy districts. On 

 the wing it may easily be recognized by the amount of white 

 which it displays, and especially by the white band on the 

 wings, which is very distinct. Its cry, consisting of two 

 short whistling notes, may be easily imitated, and is very 

 effective in calling the birds round within shot. 



Upper plumage hair-brown, with a greenish shade, many 

 of the feathers finely streaked or barred with dusky ; rump 

 pure white ; tail and taU-coverts white, barred with dusky ; 

 primaries dusky ; secondaries nearly pure white, forming a 

 distinct white band on the wing, which is very apparent 

 dui'ing flight; underparts white, with the throat, crop, and 

 flanks more or less streaked with dark brown ; beak dark 

 brown, shading off to pale reddish brown towards the basal 

 half; legs transparent red ; irides brown. 



Entire length 11 inches; culmen 1-7; wing, carpus to 

 tip, 6'2 ; tarsus 2. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 310. 



260. ToTANUS Fuscus, Leisler. Dusky Redshank. 



This bird ranges throughout Egypt and Nubia, but appears 

 to be rather sparingly distributed ; for we only met with it 

 on one occasion, near Sakkara, on the 7th of April, where we 

 killed several birds out of a large flock that had been feeding 

 in a small muddy pool. From these birds I have taken the 

 following description : — 



