232 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on the [Ibis^ 



" traiisitica " colour. In the same way the nestling plumage 

 of scn-i</nii is usually much paler than in adults, and closely 

 resembles the true ^^ transitiva" shade o£ red. 



Chelidon daurica. 

 C, d. rvfnla. 



Observed breeding on Mount Oarmel, round Lake Galilee, 

 and at Jerusalem and Jericho. Fresh eggs were taken on 

 Mount Carmel on 23. iv. from the usual type of nest situated 

 in a cave. Total length of nest 12 inches, length of neck 

 4 inches, outside diameter of neck 2i inches, diameter of 

 nest 3f inches, inside diameter of mouth under 2 inches. 



The fresh egg is very pale pink, which soon turns to 

 white after being blown. None had any markings. 



Four specimens were obtained on Mount Carmel on 27. iv., 

 the wings of three males varying from 118 to 120 mm. 



I'his bird is only a summer visitor to Palestine. 



Hirundo urbica. 

 //. u. urbica (L.). 



A few were observed on passage on Mount Carmel ou 

 23. iv. The wings of two males obtained measure 108 and 

 109 mm. Not otherwise seen. 



Riparia riparia. 



R. r. riparia (L.). 



it. ?'. dihita (Sharpe & Wyatt). 



Only two Sand-Martins were brought home, one of the 

 typical race shot at Ramleh on 23. iii. when on spring 

 passage, and another which I refer to R. r. diluta shot 

 at Shellal on 23. ix. when they were })lentiful on autumn 

 passage. The latter s])ecimen compares well with birds 

 from the Lena River, and the bird of the typical race agrees 

 well with British specimens though it is rather on the dark side. 



Sand-Martins, which I believe belonged to the Siberian 

 race, were first seen at Rafa on autumn passage on 27.viii. 

 and again on 2. ix. {Several were observed from 17. ix. to 

 8. X., but none after 1-4. x. 



