504 ORNITHOLOGICAL SKETCHES 



Precise measurements were taken of all the specimens 

 obtained, but these I will, with a view to economy of space, 

 omit. 



1 . COCCYSTES GLANDARIUS. Great Spotted Cuckoo. 



Only twice observed: first at the village of Ermaut in 

 Upper Egypt, flitting to and fro among the high leafy trees; 

 the second time also in Upper Egypt, at Sohag, where it was 

 sitting on the mud wall of a garden close to the town. 



2. CERYLE RUDIS. Pied Kingfisher. 



First seen between Alexandria and Cairo. In many places 

 these Kingfishers were flying over the canals and water- 

 courses close to the line, or were perched on the telegraph- 

 wires. Near Cairo it was less common, but further south we 

 found it in all favourable situations, such as the reedy and 

 rocky shores of Lake Birket-el-Karun, in the province of 

 Fayum, and everywhere on the Nile, the canals, and the 

 sluggish streams, even within the towns of Upper Egypt ; 

 most common where both shallow water and suitable perches 

 were to be found. In such places as many as ten were often 

 congregated within a small area. Also sometimes noticed on 

 the iresh water streams in the neighbourhood of the Suez 

 Canal and Lake Menzaleh, but not so common there as else- 

 where. Only once seen in Palestine, in the valley of the 

 Jordan, where it was fishing and hovering in its usual way 

 over a marsh covered with thick bushes. 



3. MEROPS ^GYPTIUS. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater. 



This strikingly beautiful bird was never seen in Lower 

 Egypt or anywhere near Cairo. The first and most northerly 

 specimens were observed in the garden of the railway-station 

 of Abouksor-Fayum, where they were, as usual, collected 

 together in a small flock. Everywhere found along the Nile, 



