328 Rev. H. B. Tristram on the Ornithology of Palestine. 



nate the species. Of other Anatidce, Chenalopex cegyptiacus 

 is not uncommon both on the coast and by the Dead Sea, near 

 which latter we found also Casarca rutila, in winter, and were 

 also fortunate enough to obtain its eggs in a cliflF in Northern 

 Galilee among some Griffons'. {Vultur fulvus) nests in May. 

 The most common Ducks on the Jordan in winter were Faligula 

 ferina and F. nyroca. The former was also vex'y common all 

 along the Dead Sea^ swimming on its surface for purposes best 

 known to itself. The latter we often saw long after the Pochards 

 had left. Anas hoschas, A. crecca, and Mareca penelope were 

 common everywhere. We also obtained A. strepera, A. acuta, 

 Rhynchaspis clypeata, Fuligula cristata, and Mergus serrator in 

 various parts of the country, the latter being very abundant 

 along the seashore. Mergus albellus was once obtained on the 

 coast. Anser segetum, Bernicla hrenta, Fuligula marila, and 

 (Edemia nigra also occurred on the coast, while Erismatura 

 mersa might be seen on the Lake of Galilee diving about at any 

 time of the yeai', and doubtless breeding in the marshes of 

 the Huleh. But the most interesting of the duck tribe was 

 Anas marmorata, which we found only in the Huleh, and in 

 great numbers, though very wary and breeding there in places 

 wholly inaccessible. In June it was the only duck we could 

 find thei-e, excepting a stray Teal and now and then a F. nyroca, 

 while hundreds of this rare Marbled Duck rose as we approached 

 the openings in the swamps, but always out of shot. 



The Sea of Galilee is remarkable for the vast numbers of 

 Grebes, Gulls, and Terns which cover its surface in winter and 

 early spring, while after April not a solitary example of a 

 Natator can be detected. Well may birds swarm there, for the 

 shoals of fishes are almost incredible. Masses of fishes covering 

 an acre or two may be seen with their back fins above the 

 watei*, looking, as they move slowly in serried ranks, like the 

 pattering of a heavy shower on the lake. Why all the birds 

 disappear in May can only be accounted for by the absence of 

 any secure breeding-places near the lake, the shore being open, 

 destitute of trees, marshes, or other cover, and, on the east side, 

 forming a long bare range of bleak hills which come almost 

 down to the water's edge. This we noticed, that none of the 



