128 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 
Dove, Sandgrouse, and Wild Goose, on my own ; and ina 
few cases where our names differed considerably from his, 
I have thought well to give both. Any discrepancy is 
easily accounted for by the difference in dialect between 
Upper Egypt and the Delta. ' 
Let me say also that my best thanks are due to 
Mr. T. B. Hughes for the loan of his large collection, and 
also to the Hon. E. Russell and Mr. S. C. Buxton for their 
assistance. I have also to thank Captain Shelley for kindly 
giving me access to his Egyptian skins, and Mr. E. C. Taylor 
for a like civility. 
%1. SOCIABLE VULTURE, Vultur nubicus. 
On the 21st of April, one of the largest Vultures I ever 
saw was killed in the act of flying from a carcass on the 
river near Bellianeh. This immense brute measured 109 
inches from tip to tip, and looked, when hung up on the 
boom to dry, larger even than a Griffon. It was 39 inches 
long; the wing from carpus 30; the tarsus 54; weight 144 
Ibs. The head was bare, and of a purplish flesh colour. 
The skin of the crown white; round the ear a few feathers; 
the chin coated with black bristles pointing backwards ; 
mouth purple; eye hazel; legs and cere bluish. No 
feathers on the sides and thighs; these parts were entirely 
covered with down. It is possible that this species may be 
much commoner than is supposed in Egypt. 
2. .CINEREOUS VULTURE, Vultur monachus (Linn). 
We saw this species not unfrequently; at least some of 
the Vultures were so very dark that I set them down as 
this species. I believe Von Heuglin found it rarer than the 
Sociable Vulture (Vultur nubicus), from which it is not 
easily distinguishable at a distance. 
