32 On Birds from Shendi, Sudan. 
perfect regularity every morning. Considering how thinly 
these birds are distributed over the country — they are 
seldom seen in flocks^ except when going to drink — it seems 
likely that manv of them must come from very remote 
parts of the desert. 
We found eggs of this bird on the 6th^ 17th^ and 23rd of 
March. They are laid on the bare ground ; beyond a very 
slight depression there is no attempt at making a nest. 
The full number seems to be three. The ground-colour is 
creamy buff, and is covered with sharply defined rich brown 
markings and underlying spots of a pale grey colour. An 
egg taken after death from a bird shot on February 28th 
is marked with more pale spots than are our other eggs. 
Measurements : 35-6 by 26-5, 36'2 by 26-6, 36 by 25, 
39 by 25 mm. 
The native name for this bird is " Gutta.^' 
lOJ-. CoTURNix coTURNix (Linn.). 
The Quail was tolerably common at Shendi during our 
whole stay. 
105. EupoDOTis ARABS (Liun.) . 
The head and neck only of this bird were preserved. It 
was trapped in the desert by a native^, who had adopted the 
usual trick of pulling out all the primaries. We often saw 
Bustards^ presumably of this species, in the desert, but they 
always contrived to keep out of range ; the chestnut axillaries 
are a good distinguishing character when the bird is flying. 
106. CEdicxemus senegalensis Swains. 
386 S,3S7 S- 
Two of these birds were obtained at Wad-Habushi on 
March 18th. Their behaviour is very similar to that of the 
Norfolk Plover. 
107. HoPLOPTERUs spiNosus (Linn.). 
- 41 ? , 380 ? . 
Spurwing Plovers were met with commonly all along the 
river-banks. They are extremely noisy during the night, and 
also during the day if their breeding-places are invaded. 
