— 50 — 



230. Bearded Vulture. Gypcetus harhatus subsp.? 



GypcBtus nudipes, Brehm. Shelley, p. 208. 



The bearded vulture lias been recorded on several occasions 

 from Egypt. It possibly breeds in the Moqattam hills or near 

 Helwan. I have several times seen single individuals near 

 Helwan. Dring 1916 several examples were shot between 

 Cairo and Suez and their dried heads sent to me for 

 identification. 



Length about 42 inches. A black beard-like tuft of feathers 

 on the chin ; head chiefly white, eyelids crimson ; upper parts 

 blackish brown narrowly streaked with white ; under parts 

 sandy orange. Young birds lack the white head, and the 

 under parts are brown. Tail blackish brown, long and wedge- 

 shaped. 



231. Marsh Harrier. Circus ceruginosus (Linnaeus). 



Circus ceruginosus. Shelley, p. 181. 



Common and probably resident in Lower Egypt ; less 

 abundant in Upper and Middle Egypt, with the exception of the 

 Faiyum. 



Length about 20 inches. Adult male, crown and nape 

 creamy buff streaked with dark brown ; mantle brown ; primaries 

 blackish, rest of wings and tail silvery grey ; mider parts buff 

 striped with brown on breast and chestnut on abdomen and 

 thighs. Females and young birds are imiform chocolate brown 

 with a creamy buff patch on the head. Li subsequent moults 

 the plumage varies, and cream-coloured patches appear on the 

 shoulders. 



232. Hen Harrier. Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus). 



Circus cyaneus. Shelley, p. 182. 



Probably a winter visitor only. Common from autumn 

 to spring in suitable localities. 



Length 19 inches. The adult male is pale grey above ; 

 rump white ; throat and upper breast pale grey ; rest of under 

 parts pure white ; tail feathers barred with dusky black. 

 Females are brown aboVe and buff below with darker stripes. 

 Rump white marked with rufous ; tail barred with brown. 

 Young birds resemble the female, but are browner and more 

 rufous below. 



