248 Col. R. Meinertzhagen on the [Ibis, 



Columba cenas. 



C. oc. anas L. 

 An abundant winter visitor to the southern parts of southern 

 Palestine, watering in thousands in the Wadi Gaza from 

 November to January. The first arrivals appeared in small 

 parties oli tour to twenty on 21.x. and caused considerable 

 excitement among the troops, who suspected Turkish Carrier 

 Pigeons. By 2.xi. their numbers had reached their height. 

 Observed passing north at Ramleh on 2. iii. in flocks of three 

 to four hundred. A female sliot on 3. xii. has a wing of 

 214 mm. and agrees well with British specimens. 



Streptopelia turtur. 



S. t. turtur (L.). 



A common summer visitor and bird of passage in southern 

 Palestine, the first nest being found at Ramleh on 11. v. 

 It appears to arrive from the end of April, and continues 

 passing north till the middle of May. 



The autumn passage commenced at Rafa on 28.viii., and 

 the birds were plentiful on 6. ix, and throughout September. 

 After 10.x. they were scarce, the last being seen on 18.x. 



Three autumn examples brought home are of the typical 

 race and not arenicola. No breeding birds were obtained, 

 and it is probable they will be found to be arenicola. 



Streptopelia decaocto. 



S. d. decaocto (Friv.). 



A common resident north of the line Gaza-Hebron. It 

 also appears to be an abundant winter visitor to southern 

 Palestine, for large flocks passed north at Ramleh from 

 19. iii. to 29. iv. None were seen in the Juda^an highlands 

 in winter, but it is common at that season in the Jordan 

 Valley. 



In tlie Jordan "V alley it breeds from the last few days of 

 April, making a typical nest either on the ground or in a 

 very low bush, but never more than a few inches from the 

 oround. 



