428 Mr. M. J. ^\co\\ — Contributions 



deserts round the Wadi Natron. I did not meet with it 

 during my visits, but Mr. Balboui has sent me both adult 

 and immature examples. 



Al^mon alaudipes alaudipes (Desf.). 



Certhilauda desert07'um Shelley, p. 135 ; Loat, Ibis, 1905, 

 p. 457. 



The Bifasciated Lark is extremely numerous and resident 

 in the deserts immediately surrounding the Wadi Natron. 

 I have a tine series of birds of all ages collected by 

 Mr. Balboni and myself, as well as eggs. For some years 

 I was somewhat puzzled by the differences in coloration 

 of examples of this species. They appeared to be divisible 

 into two groups : one a sandy-backed bird with small spots 

 on the breast, and the other a grey-backed bird with large 

 blotches almost coalescing on the breast. After examining a 

 large series of freshly-killed examples, I now have no hesi- 

 tation in saying that the sandy-coloured birds are not 

 really adults, and that the adult plumage is not assumed 

 until after the bird is a year old, when the upper parts 

 become greyish and the breast is thickly blotched with 

 black. 



Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris. 



Sturnus vulgaris Linn., Shelley, p. 157. 



During my visit in November 1911 a few Starlings were 

 seen daily, and on the 26tli Mr. Balboni shot one at Gaar — 

 the most northern lake on the Wadi. It is referable to 

 the typical form. 



CORVUS CORAX UMBRINUS. 



Corvus umbrinus Shelley, p. 158. 



Ravens are sometimes to be seen in the Wadi Natron, but 

 up to this time I have no material from that locality and so, 

 for the present, use the name given above for the Egyptian 

 Raven. Skins and living birds wliicli I have from time to 

 time examined fi'om Egypt and the Soudan, vary indi- 

 vidually in the size of the bill, and I believe that there are 

 at least two forms of the brown-necked Raven in the above- 

 mentioned localities. 



