1920.] Birds of Soiithern Palestine. 253 



Crex crex (L.). 



First seen on autumn passage at Rafa on 22.viii., but 

 became common during the first fortnight of September, 

 arriving with the Quail. The numbers decreased towards 

 tlie hitter half of September, and only a few were met with 

 during the first half of October. 



On spring passage it was common at Ramleh in early May. 



Gallinula chloropus. 

 6r. ('. rJiloropvs (L.). 



First observed on autumn passage at Rafa on 25. ix., when 

 several immature birds appeared, usually taking refuge in 

 tents. An adult was captured on 3.x., after which date no 

 more were seen. 



A plentiful resident in the marshes of the coastal plain 

 round Julie and on the Brook Kishon. 



Fulica atra. 



F. a. atra (L.). 



A winter visitor in small numbers to southern Palestine, 

 the earliest record being on 4.xi. at Rafa, but suitable C*oot 

 ground is so scarce that we could not expect to find this lurd 

 in any numbers anywhere. 



Burhinus oedicnemus. 



JJ. <i\ saJiard' (Rchw.). 



This is the breeding bird and probably resident in southern 

 Palestine and northern Sinai. The numbers are increased 

 in late autumn and winter by visitors from elsewhere. 

 Two eggs were found near Rafa on 5. vi., and near Jaffa at 

 the end of May. 



Birds shot at Rafa on 10. ix. and lo.xii. agree well with 

 a large series of sahara? from North Africa, but another shot 

 on lo.xii., and one of a pair of which the other bird was also 

 obtained, are distinctly darker and grejer than ixwj sal lar a- at 

 Tring, and cannot be matched b}^ specimens of B. ce. oedic- 

 nemus from Western Europe, from which they differ in being 

 much greyer. But as the other bird of the pair is typical 

 Sahara', I can only ascribe the difference in tone to individual 



