SIX MONTHS’ BIRD COLLECTING IN EGYPT. 161 
72, WHINCHAT, Saxricola rubetra (Lint), 
I had ‘expected to meet with this species during the 
winter in the Delta, but I only saw a few, males, towards 
the end of April in returning down the Nile. 
73. WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT, Rutictlla leucocyana 
(Brehm.): 
I shot one, which I have no doubt is a.female, at Silsilis, 
on the 3rd-of April, with an entirely white: throat; also a 
male at Samanhoud with only a little red. The red-spotted 
are decidedly much the commoner. 
74. RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT, Rutécilla suecica (Linn.), 
This proved to be not near so common above Cairo as in 
the Delta, where I should say it is one of the commonest 
small birds in winter. In May and June I did not shoot 
one: it may be therefore that it leaves in summer. It isa 
bird that is almost always on the ground, and you may 
recognise them immediately by their tails, yet it is ex- 
ceedingly difficult to get a sight of the breast spot, as they 
invariably turn their backs upon you. 
75. REDSTART, Ruticella phenicurus (Linn.). 
This bird appears to be resident in small numbers. 
Captain Shelley hints as much, and Dr. Adams, whose notes 
refer to November and the two following months, says— 
“Not uncommon in Lower Egypt, and seen at Thebes” 
(Ibis, 1864, p. 18). Mr. Allen, however, who was a very 
correct observer, says it is zo¢ seen during the winter. This 
is a point for further investigation. We did not shoot one 
until the 31st of March, after which it was rather common. 
M 
