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G. H. Gurney—Notes from Assouan



plenty of White-spotted Blue-throats, which, with their long tails held

continuously erect, are often to be seen hopping amongst the shrubs.


A drive into the desert, however short a one, at once reveals the

presence of various sand-coloured Larks and Pipits, but unless I handled

them I would not dare to swear as to their identity. A small flock of

light-coloured birds on the right reveals the whereabouts of a little

company of Trumpeter-Bullfinches, while perched on the larger rocks

stands up bold and defiant the magnificent Black Chat. Their irridescent

black plumage is particularly conspicuous against the pale sand, and

a more handsome bird it would be hard to find. The White-rumped

Chat is also frequently to be seen, but prefers ground which is not of

quite so rocky a nature. There are also certainly two species of pale-

coloured Saxicolas, but again, without a book of reference, I am not

clear as to their identity.


The Houbara Bustard is certainly found in the immediate vicinity

of Assouan, and a native gave me a description of a small sandy-

coloured Partridge, which is found in some of the more distant “ wadis ”

which can be nothing else but Ammoperdix heyii. Guineafowl and

Sand-grouse are also reported as being resident beyond Shelal, but

I very much doubt whether this is the case, and whether they range

anywhere near this district.


As regards birds of prey, for which Egypt is so noted, I have had

little scope for seeing much in that line. Of course, the ubiquitous

Yellow-billed Kite is always with us, for ever soaring round the hotel

and immediately perching on the three hotel flag-staffs directly the

flags are hauled down at sunset. Kestrels are frequent ; and a splendid

male Merlin dashed out of a sont tree close to me one day. No doubt

various species of Vultures occur ; I have only identified the Egyptian

Vulture.


I have also been prevented from seeing the birds which live around

the Nile itself. I can only mention the more noticeable ones which

have come within my view of observation from my terrace-seat. Buff-

backed Herons, of course, are common enough, but nothing like in the

abundance one finds them in at Luxor and other places. Lesser Egrets

are scarcer. Apart from their different coloration in beak the flight

of these two species is very different and there should be no difficulty



