— 102 — 



Length about 15 inches. In coloration th:s species much 

 resembles the curlew, but is more thickly spotted on the under 

 parts. The bill is shorter and much more slender, and the 

 bird is generally smaller and somewhat resembles the whimbrel 

 in size, but may always be distinguished from the latter by 

 having no plain buff stripe down the centre of the crown of 

 the head. 



399. Whimbrel. Numenius phoepus (Linnaeus). 



Numenius flicefus. Shelley, p. 244. 



Not uncommon during the autumn migrat ion on th ^ coasts 

 and on the lakes of Northern Egypt. Apparently rarer in spring 

 and probably absent in winter. 



Length about 15 inches. Upper parts dark brown with broad 

 ashy brown markings on the feathers. Primaries blackish, 

 notched with whitish on inner webs. Under parts white, 

 washed with huffish brown on the breast and streaked with 

 brown. Lower back and rump white, the latter usually 

 showing a few dark brown marlcings on the centre of the 

 feathers. Crown of head dark chocolate brown, with a well- 

 marked band of buff down the centre. Bill long and decurved, 

 brownish pale flesh colour at base. Legs and feet greyish 

 blue. 



400. Crab Plover., Dromas arcleola Paykull. 



Not mentioned by Shelley. 



Probably of rare occurrence. In August 1916 I saw two 

 on Lake Borollos, and in August 1918 I saw^ a large flock flying 

 near the shore at Rosetta lighthouse. 



Length about 16 inches. Head, neck and under parts pure 

 white, as are the wing coverts, scapulars and secondaries, lower 

 back and rump. Rest of plumage black. Bill black. Legs 

 and feet bluish grey. The legs are long and the toes partially 

 webbed. Bill straight and thick. Sexes similar, but the female 

 is rather smaller. 



GAVIAE. 



401. Black Tern. Hydrochelidon nigra (Linnaeus). 

 Hydrochelidon fissipes. Shelley, p. 301. 

 Abundant during the autumn migration, but less so in spring. 

 It frequents the sea coast as well as the lakes. 



