Cassell states, however (Bk. of Bds., Vol. IV. p. n): “We can distinctly affirm that we have ourselves repeatedly 
seen the little creature performing the tooth-cleaning operation the ancients attributed to it, and which many modern writers 
have declared to be fabulous.” 
In the winter of 1874—75, I found it abundant on the Nile, between Essiout and Assouan, the banks of the river in 
that portion of the country being especially suited to its habits. We generally observed it running about on the sand 
banks, or making short flights from one point to another, seeming to be constantly in a state of activity. 
According to Von Heuglin, the present species breeds in Egypt after the rainy season in Soudan. It makes no nest, 
simply depositing the eggs in a depression in the sand. The eggs are generally two in number. That the ancient 
Egyptians were acquainted with the bird is proved by the fact that it is frequently found occurring in the wall painting of 
the temples, and it is claimed that it is represented in the hieroglyphics by the sign U. 
Adult Male .- — Top and sides of the head, hind neck, back, and a band passing round and meeting on the breast, 
black ; a band from the base of upper mandible passing around the crown to the nape, white ; rump, white ; most of the 
lesser wing coverts, scapulars, and upper tail coverts, bluish-gray ; tail bluish-gray, tipped with white, with the exception of 
the central tail feathers showing a subterminal band of black ; first primary having the outer web on the basal half white, 
rest of feather black ; other primaries black on the basal half, then white, terminated with black ; underparts white, washed 
with cream color and pale rufus on the abdomen and throat and under tail coverts ; bill, blackish ; iris, dark-brown ; legs, 
bluish-gray. 
Sexes similar, 
Length, 8.50; wing, 5.50; tail, 2.60; tarsus, 1.35 ; bill, .95. 
The figures represented in the plate are from specimens in my collection. 
