534 



Waders and Ducks, and especially for Geese, Pin-tails, Teal, Curlew, Snipe, Jack-Snipe, and 

 Sand-Grouse of two kinds (P. exustus and P. guttatus), which, when disturbed, would fly off and 

 settle on the adjoining desert. Owing to the above-mentioned drains, the marsh was most 

 difficult to traverse, as one's forward movement was stopped at every forty or fifty yards. Alto- 

 gether I obtained several specimens of this Plover, of which there were two or three flocks in the 

 marsh, each consisting of perhaps a dozen individuals. They were not difficult of access; and 

 their white tails rendered them most conspicuous directly they opened their wings to fly. This 

 was the only locality where I observed them during our two months' stay on the Nile. On the 

 same occasion I shot a Hare, which scrambled into an old tomb on the edge of the desert. I 

 tried to induce an Arab who followed me to go in after it ; but he refused, saying that there were 

 snakes inside." 



The following account has been published by Dr. A. E. Brehm (J. f. O. 1866, p. 386): — 



"In Northern Egypt this Plover is by no means rare; but in suitable localities appears 

 regularly, and certainly breeds there. From Egypt it extends over all North-east Africa: at 

 least it is found in the southern parts of the Nile ; for I observed it in all the countries I visited, 

 though only in localities suitable to its mode of life 



" The White-tailed Plover is a marsh-bird in the fullest sense of the word, and invariably 

 frequents the middle of the marshes and not the borders. Lakes which have bare shores it does 

 not like, but affects ponds in which grass and reeds grow luxuriantly, but which have some places 

 where the water is clear of them. They are to be found on the Mareotis Lake, near Alexandria, 

 but only stragglers, as this locality is unsuitable. It is much more frequently to be observed on 

 the Mensaleh, Brurlos, and Moeris Lakes, which have marshes on three sides, and is a common bird 

 in the rainwater ponds of the Eastern Sudan. They are generally to be seen in pairs, and more 

 seldom in small companies of from four to ten individuals ; larger flocks I do not think I have 

 ever seen. Probably such companies are only occasionally formed by several pairs consorting 

 together ; for in these flights they keep together in pairs. In watching a single pair one cannot 

 but notice that they keep close together, and what the one does the other also copies ; thus they 

 rise on the wing together, settle in the same place, seek food at the same time — in fact, do 

 every thing together. 



" Under all circumstances the pair avoid the edge of the lake, and frequent muddy places 

 covered with shallow water, running busily about like Sandpipers, seeking after food. They run 

 well, as would be expected from their long legs, but not so quickly and straight as the Golden 

 Plover and Lapwing, but more steadily, and with a more stately step. Their flight is light and 

 easy, more resembling that of the Golden Plover than the Lapwing, whose evolutions on the wing 

 this bird, so far as I recollect, never copies. On the other hand, its note much resembles that of 

 the Lapwing ; I cannot, however, now state wherein the difference lies, as my memoranda on the 

 subject are too short. 



" The White-tailed Plover does not seem to care about the company of other birds, and lives 

 but very seldom in company with the Spur-winged Plover, which also frequents the larger 

 marshes in search of food. Although this bird is very watchful, still it never acts as warner or 

 watcher for other birds, but rather takes advantage of the watchfulness of the Lapwings or 

 Godwits, acting on their warning note. It is always shy of human beings, and shiest where it . 



