156 
Mr. S. S. Allen on the Birds of Egypt. 
XIII.— Notes on the Birds of Egypt. By S. Stafford Allen. 
[Continued from p. 34.] 
5. The Spur-winged Ployer (Hoplopterus spinosus). 
The Spur-winged Plover, curious and interesting as it may be 
in its habits to an unconcerned spectator, is anything but a 
favourite with the sportsman; for to its vigilance and noisy 
activity he probably owes the loss of many a good bird that 
might otherwise have been added to his bag. Woe to the un¬ 
lucky ornithologist who, in attempting to get within shot of 
some scarce and shy bird, happens to come across one of these 
mischief-makers ! for, as if equally aware of his intentions and 
its own worthlessness, it hovers over his head, jerking out its 
warning cry of “ Zac ! zac ! zac ! ” until every bird is effectually 
scared away from the vicinity. Constantly, whilst thus em¬ 
ployed, does it pay the penalty of its interference, by receiving 
the charge intended for its betters, from which it would other¬ 
wise have been perfectly safe. Abundantly distributed over the 
country, and not at all shy, the “ Zic-zac” (as the Arabs call it) 
is seen in pairs or small flocks, both by the river-side and in the 
fields, its strongly contrasted black-and-white neck, with the 
more sober dun of its back, attracting the attention of the most 
careless observer as it stands with a knowing air on the top of 
a ridge or hillock, ready to give notice of anything suspicious. 
The sharp spurs which are placed on the carpal joint of each 
wing are not worn merely for ornament; for these Plovers are 
most pugnacious birds, and know how to use these weapons 
with effect in their frequent battles among themselves, or with 
their “pet aversion” the Hooded Crow ( Corvus cornix). This 
spur is mostly used whilst on the wing, by darting at the 
object of their dislike and making a sudden turn upwards on 
reaching it, striking at the same time. I am inclined to 
think, however, that it is occasionally used on the ground, as I 
have several times seen a Zic-zac put down its hea*d and run at 
another in a threatening manner, though I never saw a blow 
actually struck. The spurs are often quite worn down, perhaps 
through the frequency of these encounters, which are said by 
the natives to be occasionally attended with fatal consequences. 
