400 
Mr. A. L. Butler on Birds observed 
Khor Arbat and at Jebel Bawati. A pair were building on 
a rock-face in the Khor when I arrived there on May 1st, 
but the necessity of shade compelled me to pitch my tent 
immediately under their nest, which caused them to 
forsake it. 
42. Cypselus apus (Linn.) ? 
I saw a single Swift, which looked like C. apus , in the 
Khor Arbat on May 14th. 
43. Cypselus affinis Hardw. 
a. S . Khor Arbat, 4. 5. 08. 
These little White-rumped Swifts were common among 
the hills. They generally flew high, descending occasionally 
to skim over the pools in the khor. 
44. Caprimulgus nubicus Licht. 
a. d . Khor Arbat, 15.5. 08. 
This was the only Nightjar met with near the Bed Sea 
coast. It was observed or heard every evening along the 
tamarisk-thickets near water in the Khor Arbat, but in 
these valleys between high hills it was very difficult to see 
to shoot it after dusk. The note is a liquid sound, like 
chukku ! chukku ! chukku ! 33 
45. Merops apiaster Linn. 
Large numbers of Common Bee-eaters appeared at the 
Khor Arbat on May 6th and 7th, and joined the Blue¬ 
cheeked birds among the tamarisks. When both are heard 
together there is a considerable difference between their 
notes, the call of M. persicus being shriller than that of the 
common species. 
46. Merops persicus Pall. 
a. $ . Khor Arbat, 2. 5.08. 
b. ? . „ 1.5.08. 
c. d. ,, 16.5.08. 
<*.<?. „ 14.5.08. 
Large numbers of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater frequented 
the tamarisks in the Khor Arbat all the time that I stayed 
there (May 1st to 16th). 
