AVES. 217 



at El Tibet ; Gh6r es Safieh. I obtained two specimens, one at Widy 

 Zelegah, and one in the Gh6r. A desert species found in Sahara, 

 Turkestan, Scinde, and South Persia. 



\Pkylloscopus rufus, Bechst. Chiff-chafif. Frequent at wells in Sinai ; 

 once it uttered its summer note at 'Ayftn Milsa, in November, in a broken 

 but unmistakable fashion. 



t/'. trochilus, Linn. Willow wren. Also frequent throughout Sinai. 

 Both these were often shot, and appeared to be the only warblers of any 

 frequency. 



\Argya squamiceps, Rupp. ' Hopping thrush.' From 'Akabah in 

 several places wherever groves of acacia occurred along the 'Arabah to 

 the Dead Sea. Abundant at the Ghor es Safieh, and not unfrequent at 

 Jericho. Some of these birds appeared to be mated in the beginning of 

 December. On shooting one I saw, on two occasions, another perch on 

 an acacia bush and utter a peculiarly piteous cry for a considerable time. 

 But as they always go in small flocks, it may have been a purely social 

 regret. Canon Tristram believed this bird to be confined to the Dead 

 Sea, mentioning, however, that it was said to be found near Akabah, and 

 in the Hedjaz. El Tabi is the best bird ground in the 'Arabah ; here 

 there were many seen. 



^Drymoeca gracilis, Licht. Plentiful in the Gh6r es Safieh. Ranges 

 from North-east Africa to Asia Minor and India. 



D. inquieta, Rupp. Frequent throughout Sinai, chiefly on the eastern 

 side, in low bushes of tamarisk in dry, stony widies, hopping, hiding, 

 cocking its tail, and concealing itself with great dexterity. Confined to 

 Sinai and Palestioe. 



Parus major, Linn. Ox-eye tit. Between Jerusalem and Jaffa. 



Motacilla alba, Linn. White wagtail. From Alexandria and Cairo 

 to the Ghor and Jaffa this bird was frequently met with. In the desert of 

 Sinai it is the commonest and the tamest species in winter, fearlessly 

 hopping amongst the tents and camels. 



M. flava, Linn. Yellow wagtail. Several of these were observed at 

 'Akabah along the shore. Mr. Wyatt records this species from the same 

 locality as belonging to van cinereo-capillus, Savi. 



28 



