Journey in Fars, S.W. Persia. 557 



unsatisfactorily in regard to specimens from Persia, which 

 sometimes approach the typical C. europceus very nearly. 



Nightjars were fairly common about Shiraz early in May, 

 and we saw and heard them occasionally in the oak-woods at 

 elevations of between 4000 ft. and 7000 ft. At a camp 

 near Basht (4100 ft.) they were common on June 10th, and 

 were evidently breeding. 



108. Caprimulgus .egyptius Licht. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 128; 

 Sharpe, Ibis, 1891, p. 100. 



8. ? ad. March 21st, Bushire, Persian Gulf. 



This specimen from Bushire is very ashy and not so buff 

 on the upper parts as most African specimens. Of the two 

 birds in the British Museum from Fao, one is sandy and the 

 other ashy. 



The ovaries of the bird were considerably developed. 



109. Upupa epops Linn. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 130 ; Sharpe, 

 Ibis, 1886, p. 498, 1891, p. 110. 



321. <$ ad. 



This specimen is rather pale-coloured on its mantle and 

 breast. The Hoopoe was not common, but was fairly evenly 

 distributed. A nest in a hole at the base of a wall at Shiraz 

 contained young on May 10th. 



110. Merops apiaster Linn. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 122 ; Sharpe, 

 Ibis, 1886, pp. 487 & 498. 



263. (J ad. 



The Common Bee-eater was often seen in great numbers 

 from the coast to an altitude of about 8000 ft. At Dasht-i- 

 arjan (6700 ft.) we saw none until April 12th, when flock after 

 flock passed over, flying northwards. I saw some boring 

 their nesting-holes in a bank at Shiraz on May 6th. 



111. Merops persicus Pall. 



Merops cegyptius Forsk. ; Blanf. t. c. p. 123; Sharpe, Ibis, 

 1886, pp. 487 & 498. 

 451. ? ad. 

 This Bee-eater was rarely seen, and not above an altitude 



