456 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Wagtail (which might have been Motacilla boarula) was observed 

 flying in the same course as the ship was steaming. A few 

 sea-birds noted in the distance. 



About 10 a.m. a stream of large raptorial birds, about a 

 hundred in number, were observed flying over from the African 

 to the Arabian shore ; they flew at no great height above the sea, 

 roughly one to two gunshots, and followed the same line in the 

 straggling formation of a flock of Books ; about 11 a.m. a 

 smaller flight of some twenty individuals were noted, and 

 another dozen odd birds about a quarter of an hour later. These 

 birds were all apparently of one species, and from their flight, 

 general appearance, and wing-markings I took them to be 

 Honey-Buzzards ; the lower parts of some individuals that 

 passed over the ship were transversely barred. 



About 6 p.m. we entered Suez Harbour ; here the White-eyed 

 Gull (Larus leucophthahnus) was abundant, a handsome species, 

 with sooty mantle and wings, the latter edged with white, black 

 head, white eyelid and neck, and a bright reddish or orange bill. 

 There were also mauy Black-backed Gulls (F.arus fuscus or 

 L. affinis) and one or two Skuas, of which I was unable to 

 identify the species. 



May 9th. — Left Suez about 10 a.m. In the Suez Canal my 

 attention was directed chiefly to matters military and not 

 ornithological ; however I observed a flight of Swallows (Hirundo 

 ■rustica) between Suez and Ismailia, and several others in the 

 canal proper. No Gulls were seen until we reached the Bitter 

 Lakes, where Larus leucophthahnus was common ; further on in 

 the canal again a single Black-backed Gull was seen. Other 

 birds seen were a Teal, a Baven, some Coots, and a pair of 

 'Spur-winged Plovers (TIoplop, x erus spinosus), which were running 

 and calling on the bank of the canal. 



May 10th. — Spent the day in Port Said Harbour ; the only 

 species of Gull frequenting the harbour was a Lesser Black- 

 backed Gull, but I was unable to distinguish whether it was 

 Larus fuscus or Larus affinis. 



May 11th. — Sailed from Port Said at noon, and saw no birds 

 after that save three parties of large Gulls, respectively of nine, 

 three, and six individuals, who were also following the same line 

 of flight in the Mediterranean. No details of our course or of 



