114 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
when Ducks and Geese are equally quitting England and 
other countries in Europe. Again, I do not believe that 
they come to Egypt before November or late in October, 
though I cannot speak from my own observation. The 
river Nile begins to rise at the end of May, so that it 
must be nearly “high Nile” before they arrive. 
‘No doubt thousands of Spring birds which come to Egypt 
have wintered not further south than Abyssinia; but many 
probably come from a region beyond the equator, where 
winter is turned into summer, having already bred once. 
These bring their offspring with them, which, being in the 
puzzling plumage of immaturity, lead closet-naturalists to 
set them down as being two years in arriving at maturity.* 
Others may breed on the great lakes which are the sources 
of the Nile. In that class I should put the Grey-headed 
Wagtail, of which I saw large flocks at the end of April, 
composed almost entirely of young birds, yet fully grown. 
I think this is the only way to account for the young of 
Insessorial birds turning up in Europe in April, at which 
time, in the ordinary course of things, they ought to be in 
full dress. Instances of their occasionally doing so must 
have come under the notice of every ornithologist in Eng- 
land. 
I do not think the sum of the birds of Egypt can be 
put at more than 316, which may be roughly divided into 
138 residents, 70 accidental stragglers, 48 winter visitors, 
33 spring and autumn visitors, and 27 summer visitors. 
Further researches would probably extend the last* item. 
What is wanted is to work the country between June and 
October, for the collections which have come to England 
and America—and they have been numerous, though for 
the most part made by unscientific persons—have been 
® In Zambesi, says Dr. Kirk, birds pair in October and breed in 
December, (Ibis, 1864, p. 313-) 
