FAUNA AND FLORA OF SINAI, PETRA, AND WADY 'ARAB AH. 6i 



larks and chats. The technical names of these species will subsequently 

 be enumerated. The trumpeting of the crane was heard frequently, 

 usually at night. 



At Tell el Milh, in a swamp, a flock of teal was flushed, and a number 

 of the black or Sardinian starlings came to roost in the rushes. Their 

 note is different from that of our species. A snipe handsomely marked 

 with white, as in flight, with a rich brown back, and showing vivid 

 green tints also on the upper surface, was unfortunately missed. It 

 uttered a peculiar quacking cry, and I had several good views of it. 

 There were three or four birds in the marsh, and I have no doubt it was 

 the painted snipe, Rhynchcea capensis, Linn., which has not previously 

 been known to inhabit Palestine, It is a widely-spread species in 

 Africa. 



The Cyclamen and the Colchicum are constantly exciting our admira- 

 tion. In the marsh just mentioned Spergularia marginata, Koch. ; 

 Cyperus longus, Linn., and C. Icevigaius, Linn., van junciformis, were 

 collected. 



A feature noticed by all travellers is the abundance of snails on the 

 small shrubs, chiefly on Anabasis articulata, Boiss. The commonest of 

 these was perhaps Helix Seetzeni, Koch., but I also gathered H.joppensis, 

 Rottb.; H. syriaca, Ehr.; H. protea, Zii,gl.; H. vestalis. Pass.; H. tuber- 

 culosa, Conrad.; H. candidissima, Drap.; H. Boissieri, Charp.., and H. 

 cavata, Mouss. H. cavata and H. Boissieri are the finest of these species 

 in size, the latter being a heavy solid-shelled sort. H. tuberculosa is 

 trochiform, or top-shaped. This species and his flattened brother, H. 

 ledereri, Pfr., gathered between Gaza and Jaffa, are both scarce. They 

 are the prettiest, being delicately mitred and foliated at the whorls. 



The black-headed gulls, and no doubt others of the birds, subsist on 

 these molluscs. 



Continual evidence of wild boars occurred, and some of our party had 

 the good luck to obtain a sight of a ' sounder,' or family party. They 

 seem to feed chiefly on the bulbs, of which some large kinds are mar- 

 vellously plentiful. An Urginea (probably U. undulatd) was sought 

 after especially, so that it was with difficulty roots which they had not 

 mashed were obtained to bring home. It has since flowered, and in the 

 absence of leaves is doubtfully referred to this species by Mr. Baker. 



