SIX MONTHS’ BIRD COLLECTING IN EGYPT. 197 
only met with it twice on the Nile, viz., at Gow lake, where 
there were some good flocks, and at a much smaller lake, 
or rather pond, at Samalout; but it was breeding at the 
Faioum in some numbers. The following is a description 
of a nestling. Feathers of the head and back edged with 
rufous; chest and over the eye buff; belly white; wing 
feathers black ; secondaries and greater coverts tipped with 
white. 
159. LapwinG, Vanellus vulgaris, Bechst. ; 
“Tuktak chamy.” 
Often seen, and occasionally shot. I also remarked its 
muteness during the winter, noticed by Dr Adams. Of this 
species, Hasselquist says :— 
“Comes in great numbers in the beginning of October, and 
remains all the winter. I saw it about Cairo the r5th of Decem- 
ber, 1750, where it is esteemed good eating” (2 «.). 
Captain Shelley says a few remain to breed, but Von 
Heuglin doubts it, and further corroboration is wanted. 
160. SPUR-WINGED PLOVER, Hoplopterus spinosus (Linn.), 
(Hasselquist 33); “Taktak balad.” 
Most conspicuous of Nile birds are the Ziczacs or Spur- 
winged Plovers, and very tame were they in the Delta, 
where I killed six at a shot as they stood in an irregular 
line by the edge ofa field. Yet it is an unusual thing to 
see a large flock; more often they are in twos and threes. 
As far as their gastronomic qualities go they are not worth 
a cartridge, and we very soon left off shooting at them. 
They quite pervade Egypt. At.the village pool, on every 
sandbank, in every flooded rice field—go at any season you 
