Captain John S. Beeve—Some Birds in Egypt and Palestine 123


by the feathers being spread in the same way as the Amherst spreads

his tail. But the transformation of the head is in itself sufficiently

remarkable to be worthy of placing on record.


D. Seth-Smith.



SOME BIRDS IN EGYPT AND PALESTINE


By Captain John S. Beeve


During a visit to Egypt and Jerusalem, I made notes of the birds

I saw. Since my return I went to see our Editor, who surprised me by

asking me to write an article on the subject.


Well, I went to see temples, tombs, mosques, holy places, etc., but

never dreamt of writing an article on birds ! I wished, however, when

I had returned and began to make up a systematic list, that I had

taken a little more trouble by jotting down dates, places, etc. more

carefully, and should I ever do such another trip, I should certainly

make my notes in a systematic manner.


Egypt, its temples, mosques, etc., is well worth seeing, but my

wife and I agreed that Palestine was the more fascinating and that we

should like to return there for a month on the first opportunity.


I am strongly of the opinion that all believers in the Old or New

Testament who can do so, should take the earliest opportunity in their

career of visiting the Holy Land.


I trust that as a somewhat amateur ornithologist I shall not display

too great ignorance ! The only information re dates I can give, is to

say that I was in Cairo from 16th December to 6th February (except

llth-13th January in the Fayoum, 19th-26th January up the Nile,

26th January to 1st February at Assouan). It must be borne in mind

that many of the notes were made from car, boat, train, donkey-back,

etc., and that on many occasions in Egypt being with other travellers

it was impossible to stop or spend much time on identification, that both

countries were entirely new to me, and that my one source of reference

was Nicoll’s Birds of Egypt. I believe no book has been published on

the birds of Palestine. What a delightful job for some young man !

I conceive, however, that it would entail some long and arduous work,



