BIRDS SEEN IN EGYPT. 211 



Herons (Arclea cinerea) stood on the sand -banks, fifty to sixty 

 sometimes together. To escape the fury of a dust-storm they 

 stood facing the wind, their long bodies, at a right angle to their 

 legs, looking like the letter T. I saw three or four Cranes (Grus 

 cinerea) among many Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) . These 

 were in large parties between Deshna and Dendera ; I saw none 

 further south. 



The Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo ferox) was often to be seen, 

 sitting motionless on the banks. The Black-winged Kite (Elanus 

 cceruleus), less common, was usually disturbed by the passing 

 steamer. The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) I only saw once. 



The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) was common 

 at Assiut, and in several places further south. In Nubia, where 

 birds were altogether rarer, I saw them occasionally. Among 

 some at Assiut were three Black Vultures {Vultur monachus) 

 righting over a carcase in the river. A pair of Griffon Vultures 

 {Gyps fulvus) I saw at Baliana, and more at Dendera, sitting, 

 apparently gorged, and peculiarly unattractive with their bare 

 heads. A large brown Eagle was probably the Spotted Eagle 

 {Aquila metadata), but it might have been Bonelli's {Hieractus 

 fasciatus). The pale Crag-Martin (Cotile obsoleta) was plentiful 

 at Beni Hassan and other rocky places ; they were common in 

 Nubia too. The Brown-necked Ptaven (Corvus umbrinus) I saw 

 occasionally below Luxor, but not often ; the Abyssinian Eaven 

 (C. affinis), with its peculiar sailing flight, only near Korosko. 



The day between Tema and Baliana was marked by Black 

 Storks (Ciconia nigra) ; over thirty in twos and threes were 

 wading in shallows. At Sohag a dozen with as many White 

 Storks (C. alba) made a delightful picture. The latter I only 

 saw between Sohag and Keneh. 



The Common Sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus) was rare : two 

 birds on the river, and another at Karnak lake. This small 

 sacred lake near the temple was the resort of a pair of Coots 

 (Fulica atra), Pochards, Tufted Ducks, Little Kinged Plover, 

 Black, White Kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) (common everywhere), 

 Hoopoes, numerous Swallows and Crag-Martins. Before Luxor 

 I saw what can only have been the White-headed Duck (Eris- 

 matura Uucocephala) , and, later on, two Egyptian Geese [Chena- 

 lopex cegyptiaca). Another pair flew down to the river south of 



