107 
On the Avifauna of the Sinai Desert 8fc. 
bred in the same spot, laying three eggs, which Mr. Boden- 
stein has brought me, and Avhich are precisely similar to those 
previously obtained. 
\Conf. anted, p. 286.—J. H. G.] 
186. Rallus casrulescens, Gmel. Caffre Rail. 
This Rail is common in Trans-Vaal. 
187. Ortygometra pygm^a, Naum. Baillon^s Crake. 
One occasionally puts up this Crake whilst Snipe-shooting; 
but it is not common. 
152. Gallinula chloropus, Linn. European Waterhen. 
This species frequents the reedy banks of the Movi river, 
but is not plentiful. 
XIY.— Notes on the Avifauna of the Desert of Sinai and of the 
Holy Land. Part I. By Alexander W. M. Clark Ken¬ 
nedy, F.R.G.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S., &c., Coldstream Guards. 
I feel that some apology is due to the readers of f The Ibis* 
for troubling them with the following rough notes,—first, 
because I fear there will be little value in them, as I was un¬ 
fortunately obliged to hurry through my journey owing to 
the lateness of the season, and therefore had but small time 
to make observations on the ornithology of the countries 
through which I passed,- and secondly, because the subject 
has been treated in an exhaustive manner in these pages by 
far abler pens than mine, and by far more accurate observers 
and better ornithologists. Among these I need hardly refer 
to the Rev. H. B. Tristram and Mr. C. W. Wyatt. My sole 
reason for offering them to my brother ornithologists is from 
my conviction that there is always some value to be set on 
original observations; and I can only add that these notes 
were made upon the spot, so that they may be relied upon 
as authentic. 
Leaving London on the last day of the year 1869, in com¬ 
panionship with Mr. Trench Gascoigne, of the Royal Horse 
Guards (Blues), I arrived after a very rough passage through 
the Bay of Biscay, with a lovely run over the blue Mediter- 
