512 ORNITHOLOGICAL SKETCHES 



26. SAXICOLA KUFESCENS. Black-eared Chat. 



Nowhere common in Egypt ; most frequently seen in the 

 neighbourhood of the Suez Canal. 



27. SAXICOLA STAPAZINA. Russet Chat. 



Not common in Egypt, but isolated individuals were to be 

 found everywhere. In Palestine it frequented the same loca- 

 lities as the Wheatear. 



28. SAXICOLA LEUCOMELA. Pied Chat. 



Somewhat rare in Egypt. In Palestine everywhere in 

 suitable spots. In the desert mountains between Bethlehem 

 and the Red Sea even very common. 



29. Ixos XANTHOPYGIUS. Yellow-vented Bulbul. 



This remarkable bird was daily observed in the Jordan valley 

 while we were boar-hunting among the dense bushes of the 

 broad watercourses. As I was not acquainted with the species, 

 I sent a specimen to Herr v. Homeyer, who determined it as 

 Ixos xantltopygius, and as it had no German name called it 

 "GelbbauchigeBuschdrossel" (Yellow-bellied Bush-Thrush). 

 It occurs in some of the Greek islands, especially in the Cy- 

 clades. These birds were very local, and were always found 

 among the same sort of bushes or in the thick rushes and high 

 grass. They had already paired and were extremely shy. 



30. CRATEKOPUS SQUAMICEPS. Palestine Bush-Babbler. 



Found in the same districts of the Jordan valley and under 

 the same conditions of life as the Bush-Thrush, but in much 

 greater numbers. In its way of living and its general beha- 

 viour it somewhat resembles the Cuckoo, and is, moreover, 

 very shy. The young birds were already fledged, and were 

 flying from bush to bush in small companies of eight to ten. 

 This species was also new to me, and was determined by 



