in the Eastern Atlas. 
357 
selves to the reeds. As I turn now along the northern side of 
the marsh, 1 hear the Water Hen and Water Rail ( Gallinula 
chloropus and Rallus aquaticus) harshly calling, while now and 
then a Wild Duck ( Anas boschas) or Pochard ( Fuligula ferina ) 
flies out, and, wheeling round, returns. Here too an occasional 
Squacco Heron (Buphus rallo'ides) or Sandpiper ( Totanus gla- 
reola ?) rises; and passing suddenly a corner of the reeds, a 
startled Purple Water Hen ( Porphyrio hyacinthinus) makes all 
possible haste to gain the denser cover. Leaving the tall reeds, 
and plunging knee-deep into water and mud, I now come 
upon the main body of Squacco Herons, and here and there a 
Bittern ( Botaurus stellaris); here too may be seen the active 
little Baillon’s Crake ( Crex baillonn) 3 allowing one but a mo¬ 
mentary glimpse as it passes into the sedge. In the more 
open part, further to the eastward, Stilts occur in great 
abundance; and I never miss an opportunity of watching 
the ease and grace with which they manage their apparently 
unwieldy legs. As their nests are near, these birds make the 
air resound with their harsh, discordant cries. Near the Stilts 
I usually see an Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) or two stalking 
quietly about the marsh in search of food. Here, too, most of 
the ducks are to be seen; and 200 or 300 yards lower down, 
troops of Ruddy Shieldrake ( Casarca rutila ), and with them a 
small flock of Demoiselle Cranes {Anthropo'ides virgo). These 
last wend their way eastward to Chot Saboun, and I see them 
no more. Returning by the south side of the marsh along the 
water’s edge, I find the Kentish Plover, and occasionally a 
Little Ringed Plover ( AEgialites cantiacus and AE. minor); while 
in the short reeds stand a row of Buff-backed Herons ( Herodias 
russata), contrasting strangely in their sluggish movements with 
the active Little Egrets ( Herodias garzetta ), some five or six of 
which may be feeding near with a Glossy Ibis ( Ibis falcinellus ), 
the “ Devil Heron” in their company. The Buff-backs wake up 
as I approach, and fly away to the Roman ruins close by, there 
to bask again, standing, some on the overturned stones, some 
on the decorated arches, two of which still stand at the northern 
extremity of the old city. The pools on the south side are full 
of Coots (Fulica atra ), and here and there a White-headed 
