A VES. 223 



The Arab believed it to be a bird, and I think it is probable it was this 

 species. 



(^yp^ fulvus, Gmel. Griffon vulture. This bird was, I believe, seen 

 occasionally at considerable distances ; but on one or two occasions in 

 Wddy Lebweh and in the 'Arabah, in lonely precipitous ravines, I came 

 on it at unawares, and had full view of its noble proportions and stately 

 flight. In Wady Harfin several gathered to the carcase of one of our 

 camels. 



Neophron percnopterus, Linn. Egyptian vulture. Hardly a day 

 occurred on which this bird was not in view in our journey through Sinai, 

 but especially on the African side of the peninsula. 



Circus ceruginosus, Linn. Frequent in the Ghor. 



Buteo ferox, Gmel. Saw one in the Gh6r. Has been obtained in 

 Sinai by Mr. Holland. 



Aquila ckrysaeius, Linn. Golden eagle. From the summit of Jebel 

 Abu Kosheibeh, one of the Mount Hor group, I disturbed a splendid 

 pair of these eagles. They had permitted me to approach within a few 

 yards, when, on looking over the cliff, they rose from immediately 

 beneath me. 



Milvus rega/zs, Linn. Kite. Frequent in Southern Palestine from 

 Gaza along the coast, and in the Judaean wilderness. 



Falco tinmmculus, Linn. Kestrel. The kestrel was first seen in 

 Wddy Ghuweir on the east side of the 'Arabah wady, between Petra and 

 the Gh6r. At the Ghor it was very frequent. 



Accipiter nisus, Linn. Sparrowhawk. Not unfrequent in the Ghdr. 

 A single bird of this species was the only living inhabitant on the summit 

 of Jebel Usdum which I actually saw. Feathers of a dove were, however, 

 close by, where he had probably struck his prey. 



Pelecanus crispus, Bruch. Dalmatian pelican. A pelican gave me 

 capital ball-practice in a muddy estuary about four miles south of Gaza ; 

 but it only afforded me another of repeated instances of the utter useless- 

 ness of firing ball-cartridge from a fowling-piece, especially if backed by 

 Cairo gunpowder. 



