on Birds observed in Southern Palestine. 23 
that which, up to the present time, is a desideratum in our 
knowledge of geographical ornithology. 
1. Gypaetos (barbatus ?). 
The Lainmer Geyer was several times observed sailing over 
the high mountain-passes west of the Jordan; but as no spe¬ 
cimen was obtained, it cannot be decided whether it was the 
Gyp. barbatus , or the variety or species, Gyp. nudipes , with the 
lower part of the tarsus bare. 
2. Gyps fulvus. 
Common in all the hill-country of Judaea, and observed 
breeding in some ravines near the Dead Sea, and also between 
Jerusalem and Jericho. 
3. Neophron percnopterus. 
Universally distributed, and equally abundant in the plains of 
Sharon and the naked hill-district of the south. Breeds in 
great. numbers in the valley of the Kedron, heaping up its 
enormous nest of sticks, rubbish, and old rags, on every con¬ 
venient ledge. While the adult bird was to be seen through 
the whole country, I never observed a single specimen in the 
sombre livery of youth. One very fine bird paid the penalty 
of its curiosity, while we were sitting on a rock, at luncheon, on 
the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It made several swoops as 
though anxious to share our chicken, and hovering over us, fell 
dead at a discharge of No. 7 shot. 
4. Aquila chrysaetos. 
Not uncommon. One sitting on a loose rock permitted me 
to approach near enough to ascertain its species. 
5. Aquila n^evia. 
One bird was shot. It appears to be the commonest species 
in the rocky districts. 
6. Aquila heliaca. 
I believe I saw this bird perched on a little island on the 
north side of the Dead Sea. I was not able to obtain a 
specimen. 
7. ClRCAETOS GALLICUS. 
Noticed preying on large lizards on the hills near Bethlehem. 
