234 Col. il. Meiuertzliagen on the [Ibis, 



Caprimulgus europaeus. 



C e. sariulnyi Hart. 



A pair were obtained at Kafa on 18.ix. and 19. ix. when 

 resting on autumn passage. The colour of both birds is 

 nearest that of unwini, but in the male the white spot on the 

 first primary does not reach to the shaft, on the second primary 

 it is confined to the inner web, whilst on the third primary 

 it extends to both webs but is only 10 mm. wide on the shaft. 

 Wino- of male I8G mm., and of the female 173 mm. 



Nightjars first appeared on passage at Kafa on 16. viii., 

 and were occasionally seen till 30.x., but were never 

 common. It is probable that they breed sparingly in southern 

 Palestine, as birds were seen at Ramleh on 7. v. and on 

 Mount Carmel on 23. iv. 



Merops apiaster L. 



An abundant but local breeding species from the Wadi 

 Giiza north at least to Jaffa. Not observed nesting either in 

 the Judgean highlands or in the Jordan Valley. Fresh eggs 

 were taken at Jaffa on 20. v., birds having commenced to 

 build on 20. iv. Young in the nest on 26. vi., and others 

 were fully tiedged by 27. vi. 



The birds which bred near Gaza flocked at the end of 

 July, both old and young travelling together, while all had 

 left by 2. viii. After these breeding birds had passed, large 

 flocks appeared on 28. viii. passing south-west, and this 

 passage was almost continuous till 15. ix., when it abruptly 

 ceased, and no more were seen except one large flock which 

 passed over Rafa on 22. ix. travelling south-west at a great 

 height. 



The first spring migrants were noted at Ramleh on 3. iv., 

 and flocks were passing north all day on 4.iv. This passage 

 continued without interruption till 9. iv., after which it 

 diminished, but a considerable movement was noted on 

 Mount Carmel for four days from 20. iv. The breeding- 

 birds seemed to arrive with the first few flocks of passage 

 migrants. 



