Collection of Birds from the }fediterranean. 175 



CORACIAS GARRULUS GARRULUS L. 



In Egypt the migration of the Roller coincided almost 

 exactly as to date with that of the Hoopoe, i. e. was well 

 started by 23rd August, and concluded by the end of 

 September. Individuals were occasionally seen coming 

 in from the sea, descending from a height with an easy 

 '^ folding " flight. 



At Athens Rollers were first seen on 23rd April, being 

 then evidently on migration. They were not noted at Crete. 

 At Marmarice several — evidently bred thereabouts — were 

 seen at the end of July, and at Lemnos between 21st 

 August and 6th September others were observed apparently 

 migrating. At Malta this species was an abundant migrant, 

 arriving about 18th April, but did not breed in the island, 

 though in Sicily a few nested in the Cavas, fresh eggs being 

 found on 2nd June. 



The Roller seems to prefer to migrate in company with 

 two or three more of its kind, travelling in a widely scattered 

 formation. 



Alcedo ispida bengalensis Gm. 



In Egypt Kingfishers were frequently seen a])out the 

 harbour and edge of Lake Menzaleh from 23rd August 

 onwards, but their abundance from the first week of Sep- 

 tember to the end of October and subsequent scarcity in the 

 winter seemed to shew that the majority seen were on 

 passage. Perhaps all did not belong to this race. 



An Alcedo ispida (no specimen obtained) was plentiful in 

 the marshes at Platea and Sicily in winter. Near Gibraltar 

 the bird was observed on 8th March, which looks as if it is 

 resident, for it is known to breed there. 



[The only specimen obtained (Port Said, October 31st, 

 1906) belongs to this race.— i7. F. TV.] 



Dendrocopus meuius meuius (L.). 



At Platea and Laverda, a little way south of the Gulf of 

 Arta, this Woodpecker was plentiful, frequenting the oak- 

 woods. One specimen was obtained. 



