to the Ornithology oj Egypt. 449 



TrINGA MINUTA. 



Trmga minuta Shelley, p. 251 ; Loat, Ibis, 1905, p. 459. 



The Little Stint is a most abundant spring and autumn 

 visitor to the Wadi Natron. In fact, it is, I should say, the 

 commonest wader during the spring migration, with the 

 exception of the RufF, which occurs there in vast numbers. 



I have some beautiful specimens of Little Stints in full 

 breeding-plumage, shot in May by Mr. Balboni. 



One female example — shot on May 10th, 1910, which is 

 before me as I write — shews transition in some of the 

 feathers from wdnter to summer plumage by colour-change, 

 black patches appearing in the centre of the worn grey 

 feathers. 



The change of colour of feathers, otherwise than by 

 " abrasion, ^^ is nowadays looked upon as a " fable " by many 

 ornithologists. Yet that such a change does take place is 

 an undoubted fact, and those who like the writer have 

 studied living waders, etc. iu captivity, have noted the 

 gradual change of individual feathers. 



In November 1911, I met with great numbers of Little 

 Stints on the shores of the lakes, and several specimens were 

 obtained. 



Tringa temmincki. 



Tr-inga temminckii Shelley, p. 252. 



During March 1910 I found Temminck^s Stint to be 

 abundant in the Wadi Natron, although in far smaller 

 numbers than the Little Stint. Moreover, the former was 

 seldom met with on the edge of the lakes — preferring the 

 smaller fresh-water pools. All those obtained were iu full 

 winter plumage. 



Tringa subarquata. 



Tringa subarquata Shelley, p. 253. 



During April and May 1910 Curlew Sandpipers must 

 have been abundant in the Wadi, for I received many 

 examples from Mr. Balboni. Unfortunately, owing to the 

 hot weather, a number of these arrived in too bad a state for 



