224 Major A. G. L. Sladen on [Ibis, 



to Mr. iM. J. Nicoll for tlieir assistance in the identification 

 o£ specimens. In reading the following notes it should be 

 borne in mind that the period, from July to October, inclu- 

 sive, was spent in the Deir el Belah-Shellal area, and all 

 subsequent dates, with tlie exception of a few days in May 

 1918, refer to the country on the Jaffa-Jerusalem line. 



It has been a matter for regret that no opportunity has 

 occurred for continued observation in the Jordan Valley and 

 country to the eastward, as 1 imagine much of it must be 

 regarded as of particular interest to the ornithologist. 

 A number of species breed along the Jordan Valley, which 

 in some places, owing to its peculiar climatic conditions, is 

 almost tropical in its aspect. 



All the skins enumerated have been presented to the 

 British Museum. 



1 have prepared a map (PI. IV.) on which are marked all 

 the localities mentioned in my notes. 



Corvus umbrinus. Brown- necked Raven. 



Very common, in fact about the only species of Corvidse 

 seen near Shellal and Tel el Fara during August-October 

 1917. Hound about Ramleh and Jafl'a I only saw one 

 during the following wdnter, but I observed several in the 

 Judean Hills during this period. 



Corvus corone. Carrion-Crow. 



I secured one out of a flock of about twenty that I saw in 

 Yebna marshes on 24 February, 1918. I had not previously 

 found this species in Palestine. 



Corvus cornix. Hooded Crow. 



I only saw two near Shellal and Gaza between August 

 and October 1917. They became more common as we went 

 farther north later. A few are to be seen about Jaffa and 

 Ramleh at all seasons of the year. 



Corvus frugilegus. Rook. 



I first noticed a large flock near Ramleh, 4 December, 

 1917, and now and again a few small flocks during the 



