On some Birds from the Syrian Desert. 307 



148. Sterna (sp. inc.). Tern. 



I saw many White Terns in the Kara Su marsh, but could 

 not identify them to my satisfaction. 



149. Larus canus L. Common Gull. 



On January 12, 1904, during very cold and stormy wea- 

 ther, a large flock arrived, which remained till February 12, 

 when it disappeared, probably returning to the sea — at least 

 150 kilometres distant — by easy stages, as on the 28th I 

 saw numbers on the Lake of Ostrovo, halfway between 

 Monastir and Salonika. During their stay the birds haunted 

 the slaughter-houses and kitchen-gardens, winging their way 

 towards the Kara Su marshes at sundown. All were in 

 immature plumage, so far as I could observe. 



150. Larus ridibundus L. Black-headed Gull. 



The flock of Common Gulls referred to above was accom- 

 panied by about forty Black-headed Gulls in winter plumage. 

 There must have been about three hundred Gulls in all, 

 and they disappeared at the same time. The natives assured 

 me that the occurrence was not an unusual one in severe 

 a\ inters. 



151. Podicipes cristatus L. Crested Grebe. 



On May 30, 1904, a Bulgar brought me a live male, which 

 he had picked up in a field close to the town. 



152. Podicipes fluviatilis (Tunst.). Dabchick. 



On May 16, 1904, I found an egg in the marsh which I 

 feel sure belonged to a bird of this species. 



XVI. — On some Birds collected by Mr. Douglas Carruthers 

 in the Syrian Desert. By P. L. Sclater, D.Sc, F.R.S. 



(Plate XV.) 



Mr. Douglas Carruthers, having finished his engagement 

 at the Syrian Protestant College at Beyrout (see 'Ibis/ 

 1904, p. 310, and 1905, p. 296), arranged with a friend, 

 Mr. J. II. Miller, to make an excursion into the Syrian 



x2 



