1919-] Birds observed in Palestine. 225 



winter^ but they were never common and appeared to be 

 only passing. 



Garrulus? species. Jay. 



On 23 June I saw one of these birds at Kuryet el Enab, 

 near Jerusalem (about 2000 ft. above sea-level). It appeared 

 slightly larger than the British Jay. Its note was identical 

 witli the latter. Up to the time of writing I have been 

 unable to secure a specimen. 



Sturnns vulgaris. Starling. 



None seen near Shellal during August to October 1917, 

 with the exception of one which I saw at a pool near the 

 Wadi Mirtaba, south of Beersheba, about 10 October. 

 Large flocks were seen near Jaffa during the winter of 

 1917-18. and these roosted in the reed-beds of Yebna marsh. 

 All these birds disappeared in March. 



Pastor roseus. Rose-coloured Pastor. 

 One was secured near llafa at the beginning of October 

 1917. 



Oriolus oriolus. Golden Oriole. 



1 ? , near Gaza, ix. 17. 



Several seen on migration near Gaza, September 1917. 

 Seen again 011 northward migration 7 and 8 May, 1918. 



Cliloris chloris chlorotica. Palestine Greenfinch. 



2 o , Jafta, 20. xi. 18. \ S, Jaffa, 27. i. 18. 



Common in olive groves and orange plantations during 

 winter months, and breeds commonly in suitable places. 

 I found a nest containing five eggs on 14 March, 1918. 

 The eggs of this bird are much smaller than those of the 

 English form. The bird taken 27 January, 1918, is very 

 much lighter in colour, and others wliich appeared to be 

 similar were noticed during the winter months near Jaffa 

 and Ramleh up to the middle of February. I strongly 

 suspect this to be a distinct form, but there appears to be 

 no other record. 



