280 BIRDS OF EGYPT. 



ending abruptly at the base of the neck ; upper parts of the 

 back, chest, and flanks ferruginous buff, darkest on the back, 

 the whole finely barred with dusky ; middle of the back and 

 scapulars darker, the larger feathers of the latter changing 

 to chestnut ; primaries black, outer web of the secondaries 

 brilliant metallic green ; wing-coverts white, with a well- 

 defined narrow black line across the wing ; lower half of the 

 back and tail black ; centre of the chest marked with a broad 

 chocolate-coloured patch ; centre of the abdomen white ; 

 luider tail-coverts bufi" ; legs deep pink ; beak brownish 

 flesh-colour ; irides brown. 



Entire length 26 inches ; culmen 2 ; wing, carpus to tip, 

 16 ; tarsus 3 "2. 



Fig. Gould, B. of Eur. pi. 353. 



298. Anser ALBiFRONS, Gm. White-fronted Goose. 



This is the most abundant Goose in Egypt, where it may 

 usually be met with in flocks, but does not remain in the 

 country later than March. When on the wing they fly in a 

 wedge-shaped flock, and frequently utter a loud harsh cry, 

 which may be heard at a considerable distance. They are 

 generally on the move just before sunrise and sunset, and as 

 they are very regular, taking the same line of flight and 

 feeding at the same spot each day, they may be most readily 

 obtained by lying in wait for them. If once fired at, the 

 flock generally leaves the neighbourhood altogether. 



Forehead and front of the cheeks white ; whole of the neck 

 brown ; upper part of the back and scapulars darker brown, 

 with paler edgings to the feathers ; remainder of the back 

 and tail dusky brown, with the tail-coverts and end of the 



