426 REV. H. B. TRISTRAM ON THE BIRDS OF PALESTINE. [Nov. 8, 
genera of Cetacea, we have here representative species, one in the. 
northern and the other in the southern hemisphere; but if here- 
after they should prove to be identical, the main habitat of the ani- 
mal is undoubtedly in the temperate seas of the further side of the 
equator. 
3. Rerort ON THE Birps or PALESTINE. 
By H. B. Tristram, M.A., F.L.S. 
1. Gypaiitos BarBatus (L.). 
A few pairs may be seen in almost every part of the country. 
The Lammergeyer is, however, nowhere common, though more plen- 
tiful on the eastern than on the western side of Jordan. 
2. VuLtuR monacuus, L. 
Rarely have I had an opportunity of identifying this magnificent 
Vulture, which occurs, not in flocks, but only, so far as we could ob- 
serve, in pairs, throughout the country. It does not appear to breed 
in society ; and the only nest we took was solitary in a cliff facing 
the Lake of Galilee, where my friend Mr. Shepherd climbed and 
took the single egg on February 27th, the bird having remained on 
her nest till we were within 6 feet of her. 
3. Gyrs ruLvus, Gm. 
Very common and a permanent resident from the south end of 
the Dead Sea up to the spurs of the Lebanon, among which moun- 
tains we rarely observed it. Breeds in many places in large colonies. 
We counted more than 120 birds together, put off their nests by the 
firing of our guns, in a single wady. It is more plentiful in the 
north than in the south, doubtless for reasons of commissariat, but 
everywhere is sociable ; we never observed so few as a single pair in 
any locality. It breeds, as in Africa, in the beginning of March. 
4. NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS, L. 
Universally diffused over the whole country in summer, but never 
seen in winter. It does not breed, like the Griffon, in colonies, but 
is scattered abundantly and almost equally over all parts of the 
country. It returns from the south about the end of March. The 
first we shot was obtained on April 4th. The nests are generally 
in the lower parts of the cliffs, and not very difficult of access, in 
this respect differing very decidedly from the Griffon’s. The first egg 
we obtained was on April Ist, and the last fresh eggs found were on 
May 24th. Several birds in the dark immature plumage were seen 
in April, evidently not having paired, and proving that the white 
plumage is not attained until the third year. 
5. AQuILA CHRyYSAETOS, L. 
Not so common in summer as in winter, when it is found abun- 
