518 ORNITHOLOGICAL SKETCHES 



year were already fledged. This bird is less shy than any of 

 the other Shrikes. The first that we bagged for our collec- 

 tion was a full-grown specimen, which I simply knocked 

 down from a bush with my hunting-knife, for, being in pur- 

 suit of large game, we did not wish to fire any unnecessary 

 shots. 



58. LANIUS RUFUS. Woodchat Shrike. 



Only in the thickets of the Jordan valley, but there often 

 observed. 



59. LANIUS NUBICUS. Masked Shrike. 



Very sporadic in the whole of Lower Egypt. Common in 

 Upper Egypt, and there not critical in the choice of its 

 resting-places, but generally found on hedges, in gardens, 

 palm-groves, and among bushes. Exceptionally tame. In 

 Palestine only in the Jordan valley, and there very rare. 



60. HIRUNDO RUFULA. Cave-Swallow *. 



Very abundant throughout Egypt, where it takes the place 

 of our Chimney-Swallow. 



61. HIRUNDO RUFULA. Rufous Swallow. 



Near the rock-monastery of Mar-Saba and on Mount Tabor 

 I found a Swallow of the same size as our House-Swallow, 

 with white breast and underparts, and rusty-brown spots on 

 the neck and back, and, not recognizing it, sent it to Herr v. 

 Homeyer, who determined it as Hirundo rufula. It differs 

 entirely from the Egyptian Cave-Swallow, which bears the 

 same name, and for which it cannot be mistaken. The error 

 probably originates from an inaccurate knowledge of the two 

 species. 



* [Probably Hit-undo riocourii, Audouin. Oriental Chimney-Swallow.] 



