Rev. H, B. Tristram on the Ornithology of Palestine. 77 



many genera of birds, it may be observed that those species 

 which have the most extended northerly have also the most 

 extended southerly range ; and that those which resort to the 

 highest latitudes for nidification also pass further than others 

 to the southward in winter. Thus the migratory Fieldfai'e and 

 Redwing, visiting regions north of the limits of the Thrush 

 and Blackbird, on their southward migration likewise leave their 

 more sedentary relatives behind. The Brambling, which passes 

 the Chaffinch in Norway, leaves it also in Europe, and crosses 

 the Mediterranean every winter to the Barbary States. The 

 Egyptian and Collared Turtle-Doves remain throughout the 

 year in North Africa and Syria; but the common Turtle 

 [T. auritus, Temm.), so abundant in those countries in sum- 

 mer, never leaves a straggler behind in November, and yet 

 in spring advances a thousand miles nearer to the Pole than 

 they do. And thus, while Cypselus melba does not return 

 to Palestine until about the 12th February, and the yet more 

 northerly Cypselus apus was not observed until the last week 

 in March, Cypselus galilceensis is building before the return of 

 the one, and has hatched its young when the other arrives. It 

 may often be seen, during the month of January, high in the air 

 on the plains of the Jordan, and never descending within gun- 

 shot until towards evening. The broad white rump gives it at 

 first sight the appearance of the House-Martin, for which 

 indeed it might be mistaken, were it not for its note, which is 

 peculiar and melodious, consisting of two semitones often and 

 rapidly repeated with a tremulous twitter, and most unlike the 

 harsh scream of the Common Swift. Its flight is quite as rapid 

 and darting as that of the other Cypselidts ; and in spring we 

 often noticed large flocks of all three species intermingled far 

 aloft, and feeding together on the wing. While, however, the 

 White-bellied bird would frequently sweep nearer the ground, 

 and the Common Swift occasionally follow it, their little con- 

 gener never during the day descended from its elevation, and 

 often for hours have we waited in vain for the chance of a shot. 

 Our first specimens were obtained by Messrs. Shepherd and 

 Upcher on the top of the cliff of the Wady Hamam,by the Plain of 

 Gennesaret, on the 8th of March, when the birds were building in 



