1864.] REV. H. B. TRISTRAM ON THE BIRDS OF PALESTINE. 431 
it is intermediate between C. asiaticus and C. albonotatus, but in 
coloration is very distinct from any species with which I am ac- 
quainted. 
46. CypsELus MELBA, L. 
One of the earliest migrants from the south in spring. At day- 
break, on February 12th, we noticed large flocks passing rapidly over 
our tents near Jerusalem in a northerly direction. It breeds in colo- 
nies, in caves and inaccessible fissures, through the whole country, 
especially in the Jordan valley and the surrounding wadys. 
47. Cypsewus apus, L. 
Returns from the south much later than its congener. Swarms 
in myriads about all the towns, but not very common in the lonely 
ravines. We did not observe it till the first week in April. It 
ascends higher than C. melba; and when we were on the top of 
Hermon, numbers of the common Swift were sporting overhead 
almost out of sight. 
48. CyPSELUS GALILZENSIs, Antinori. 
A permanent resident in the “Ghor”’ or Jordan valley, in the 
neighbourhood of which alone it is found. Although it feeds on the 
wing indiscriminately in company with its two congeners, it is very 
distinct in its habits. Its note is peculiar—a gentle and melodious 
wail of three semitones, sharply repeated when alarmed. It breeds 
in colonies, and has laid its eggs when C. medba arrives, and hatched 
its young before the return of C. apus. The nest is most peculiar, 
under an overhanging cliff, generally at a height of from 30 to 400 
feet above any accessible stand-point. The nests are clustered side by 
side and one upon another, formed not like those of other Swifts, 
but of straws and quill-feathers strongly agglutinated by the bird’s 
saliva, and without any lining. It can, however, accommodate the 
nests of Swallows to its purpose, of which we met with one interest- 
ing example in the case of a nest of Hirundo rufula. 
49. Upupa Epvors, L. 
Abundant in the wooded districts. Returns about the end of 
March. 
50. OxyLopHus GLANDARIUs (L.). 
Not uncommon. Returns at the very beginning of March. The 
only eggs we obtained were in the nest of Corvus corniz in Gilead, 
near Rabbath-Ammon, thus confirming Messrs. Allen and Cochrane’s 
observations on its habits in Egypt. We first discovered its eggs in 
Algeria, in the nest of Pica mauritanica; but no Crow bred there, 
and there is no Magpie in Palestine. I fully anticipate, however, 
that on Mount Carmel, where the Great Spotted Cuckoo is common, 
and the Crow is not, its eggs will be found in the nest of Garrulus 
melanocephalus. 
