SIX MONTHS’ BIRD COLLECTING IN EGYPT. 223 
difference in weight. At Gebel-Abou-Foeder we found 
them nesting in cliffs. Of course we could not ascend to 
their nests, but,there could be no doubt that they were 
breeding. One shot had a perfect egg ready for laying. 
These cliffs are very lofty; the lower stratum is devoted 
to Pigeons; on the tier above that the Geese; and still 
higher up a few Kites, Griffon Vultures, and a pair of 
Ospreys. It was very curious to see them looking down 
from their ledges. More wide awake then than the large 
flocks which, with beaks inserted beneath the scapulars, 
found balancing upon one leg conducive to sleep upon the 
sandbanks. They fly with powerful beats, but neither very 
high nor very fast. 
The coloured pictures of them on the monuments are so 
bad that they are barely recognizable. The ancient 
Egyptians appear only to have known three or four colours. 
Most of their birds are only recognizable by the outline, 
which however is generally very correct and characteristic, 
It would appear that opinions as to the edible qualities 
of this goose are conflicting. Mr. Blandford says it is in 
general excellent eating; but Dr. Kirk declares emphatically 
that this is the worst of all the Duck kind for the table, 
being in many cases quite uneatable. Where doctors dis- 
agree who shall decide? 
186. RuDDY SHELDUCK, Tadorna rutila (Pall.) ; 
“Abu Ferona.” 
April 28th—As I was waiting for the Diabeyha at Gow- 
Garbi, the sun having gone down, and it being nearly dark, 
I perceived a flock of large birds coming straight at me 
across the river. They made a loud noise like Egyptian 
Geese, which I at first mistook them for. However, on 
killing one it proved to be the somewhat nearly allied 
Ruddy Shelduck. Afterwards we saw them three or four 
