— 12 — 



305. Whooper Swan. Cygnus musicus Beclistein. 



Cygnus musicus. Shelley, p. 279. 



Has been stated to come into Lower Egypt during the 

 winter months, but is apparently of rarer occurrence than the 

 mute swan. 



Length about 60 inches. Plumage white ; bill yellow 

 with a black tip ; no swollen knob at the base as in the mute 

 swan. 



306. The Mallard. Anas hoschas Linnaeus. 



Anas hoschas. Shelley, p. 283. 



A regular winter visitor. In some years it is more abundant 

 than in others, but never so common as the shovelar and teal. 

 During the winter of 1916-1917 this duck occurred in compara- 

 tively great numbers. 



Length about 24 inches. The adult male has the head and 

 neck glossy green ; hind neck and breast dark chestnut, separated 

 from the green by a white band ; a greenish purple wing patch 

 bordered by white ; rump and tail coverts bluish black ; belly 

 and flanks greyish. 



Females are brown above and below mottled with black 

 and buff, and the wing patch is dark green. 



307. Gadwall. Anas strepera Linnaeus. 



Anas strepera. Shelley, p. 283. 



Not uncommon during the winter months. 



Length about 20 inches. The adult male has the head and 

 neck greyish brown mottled with darker brown. Upper parts 

 dark brown with crescent-shaped markings of grey ; lower 

 neck grey with lighter crescent-shaped edges to the feathers ; 

 breast and belly white. The wing speculum is chestnut, black 

 and white. 



The female much resembles that of the mallard, but is smaller 

 and the wing speculum is white. 



308. Marbled Duck. Marmoronetta angustirostris (Menetries). 



Not mentioned by Shelley. 



The marbled duck appears to be a resident in certain parts 

 of Egypt. It breeds in the Wadi Natrun and probably also in 

 the Faiyum, and, although apparently seldom obtained during 

 the large duck shoots in the winter, it has been found in the 

 Faiyum, in large flocks in November. Possibly and, I think, 



