— 106 — 



Lengtli about 16| inches. Crown and nape black, the 

 feathers of the crest pointed ; sides of face, sides and a collar 

 round neck and underparts white, as are upper tail coverts and 

 tail ; rest of plumage pearl grey. Bill long and moderately 

 narrow ; hlack tvith a yellow tip. Legs and feet black. 



Adults in winter lack the black crown and nape. Young 

 birds are mottled with black. 



411. GuII-billed Tern. Sterna anglica Montagu. 



Sterna anglica. Shelley, p. 297. 



Not uncommon in winter; frequently ascending the Nile 

 and frequenting flooded areas. 



Length about 15 inches. Summer plumage, upper parts 

 pearl grey, including the wings and tail. Head and nape glossy 

 black and crested ; underparts white ; bill black, sometimes 

 reddish at base of lower mandible ; legs and feet black with 

 a reddish tinge. In winter the upper parts are paler, the crown 

 of the head white and the hinder crown streaked with black ; 

 m front of the eye a blackish spot. Sexes similar, but females 

 have smaller bills. Young birds somewhat resemble the winter 

 plumage of the adults, but the upper parts are brownish with 

 dusky markings. 



412. Swift Tern. Sterna bergii Lichtenstein. 



Sterna bergii. Shelley, p. 298. 



Although this tern probably occurs on the coast of the 

 Red Sea, Shelley's statement that it is "not uncommon in Lower 

 Egypt, where it is resident," cannot be said to hold good at the 

 present time. 



Length about 15 inches. A band of white at base of bill, 

 rest of top of head black. Neck and under parts white. Rest 

 of upper parts pearl grey, merging to dull white on the rump 

 and tail. Primaries black and grey. Legs and feet black 

 with a reddish tinge, the soles mottled with yellow. Bill yellow, 

 greenish at base. Sexes similar, but the female has a slightly 

 less strong bill. 



413. Scissor Bill. Rhynchops flavirostris Vieillot. 



Rhynchops flavirostris. Shelley, p. 302. 



Although Shelley found this curious bird to be not uncommon 

 in Upper Egypt, its status in the country must at present 

 be considered obscure, and I should not be surprised if it is now 



