48 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on Birds from [Ibis, 



C. U7iwini nearly always lias white on the outer web o£ the 

 second primary, but not always. A male from Natal, which 

 on colour must be assigned to unwini, has a yellow patch 

 with a minute white core on the outer web, and nothing 

 more. But unwini can always be distinguished from other 

 races by its much paler coloration. 



Both zarudnyi and unwini appear to be intermediate in 

 size between C. e. europccus and nieridionalis, wings of adult 

 males of both races varying from 178-195. 



I have prepared drawings (text-figs. 4-7)^ showing the 

 variation in the wing-spots among the various races of 

 C. europceus, which show how inconstant a characteristic 

 this is. 



Upupa epops epops L. and Upupa epops major Brehm. 



From an examination of a large series of Upupa e. epops 

 from the Near East, and 22 Upupa e. major from Egypt, it 

 appears that, apart from measurements, there are consider- 

 able colour differences. 



Upupa e. epops. A pinker and cleaner bird than major, 

 with more and purer white on the abdomen, and with less 

 boldly marked flanks and abdomen. Head paler and not so 

 red. Lower neck and upper back much paler. 



Upupa e. major. More vinaceous and duller. Less white 

 on the abdomen which is more boldly streaked with black. 

 Under parts generally much dirtier looking. Inner second- 

 aries not so brightly marked and of a more suffused sandy 

 colour. The white subterminal band on the tail is usually 

 narrower. Head a darker and duller red. 



The measurements are as follows : — 



Culmen. 

 Sox. Winff. Depth at base. Length. 



S Upupa e. epops 130-1. "jI 6-7 53-63, 65. 



§ Uimpa e. epops 131-146 5, 6-7 48-61 



cJ Upupa e. major 135-148 7, 8-9 56-68 



5 Ujmpa c. major 138-147 8 56-65 



Upupa e. major is now a common resident in the Egyptian 

 Delta and up the Nile at least to Assuan. It is absent from 

 the Suez Canal. It breeds early, young being usually out 



