IOO CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS. 



valley of that river as far as the desert. In the northern and middle parts of Nubia they alight upon 

 the ground in parties consisting of fifty to sixty, or fly over and about the rocks ; indeed, the steeper 

 and more rugged these latter are the more attractive they appear to be. 



The food of the Desert Trumpeter consists almost exclusively of different kinds of seeds, with 

 probably a small quantity of leaves or buds. Water is an indispensable requisite. However 

 troubled, scanty, or lukewarm the spring may be, these birds will visit it at least once in the day, so 

 that their appearance is ever a welcome sight to thirsty travellers. They are always seen at the 

 spring, both morning and evening, drinking much and in long draughts, and frequently bathing in 

 shallow water. The breeding season commences in March, at which time the male has donned his 

 gala dress, and, with his chosen mate, has separated himself from the flock ; the little couples may very 

 frequently be found perched sociably near the clefts of the rocks, whilst through the air rises the 

 protracted trumpet-like call of the male, and the lark-like note of the female. We saw a pair of these 

 birds upon the banks of the Nile, busily carrying away materials for their nest, but were unable to 

 discover what they consisted of, as the rocks on both sides of the stream offered far too secure a 

 brooding-place to allow us any chance of finding them ; we learned, however, from the goat-herds that 

 the Desert Trumpeter builds in the clefts and fissures of the blocks of lava, or under large over- 

 hanging stones. The nest, we were told, is artistically constructed of large blades of grass found in 

 the desert, and lined with wool or feathers ; in this the three eggs that constitute the brood are laid 

 It is probable that these birds breed twice in the year, and that they only again join the flocks 

 amongst which their young ones are already numbered, when their parental duties are accomplished. 

 During the autumn and winter they wander to a considerable distance, appearing even in the 

 Canary Isles, and some instances have been known of their falling exhausted upon the deck of ships, 

 that were passing in that neighbourhood. They are never molested by man, and were there no such 

 creatures as Wild Cats and Ichneumons, Falcons or Kites (the latter being very destructive to them 

 in their winter flight through the desert), these remarkable birds might live an undisturbed and happy 

 life. The naturalist may, with care, capture them while drinking, and as many as heart can desire 

 may be obtained from among the stones. It is, however, difficult to take them alive, as a decoy 

 of the same species is indispensable for the purpose. The latter should be fastened in some 

 desert place, or on the borders of a stubble-field, as far from trees or bushes as possible, in such 

 localities as they are known to frequent. The decoy-bird instantly commences uttering its inces- 

 sant call, and soon attracts large numbers of its wild companions, who alight and hop, as though 

 dancing from one stone to another ; they will linger for a moment at a distance, but come near 

 enough to be recognised by their plumage and the brightness of their eyes ; next they begin to 

 peck up the food that is strewn about, and a few hours later behold them captives in the net. At 

 first the little prisoners are wild and defiant, but soon become tractable, and eat the canary-seed 

 laid before them. The sport of catching these birds is one that we have fully enjoyed, and may boast 

 our skill in this respect. What could be more exhilarating than an expedition, net in hand, during 

 the early morning, through those boundless plains, when, after a short concealment behind a mass of 

 rock, we emerge to find our labours so richly rewarded ? We brought ten Desert Trumpeters with us 

 to Germany, and feel fully entitled to speak as to their qualifications as domestic pets. On their 

 passage home we had a terrible storm, that lasted for many days, and during the whole of that time 

 the birds, in defiance of the cold, continued to pour out their song. 



The fact above recorded shows the Moros to be hardy, much-enduring birds, which, though they 

 love to seek shelter in a warm corner, can endure a considerable degree of cold. Even in this severe 

 climate they may be kept in the open air from April to October, although they should not be exposed 

 to frost. Our own are very social, and fond of expressing their confidence by the cheerfulness of 



