255 
1921 .] Birds of Lower Egypt . 
70. Prinia gracilis deltae. Delta Graceful Warbler. 
This bird is common and resident at Abu Zabal, where I 
found its eggs,, usually about the beginning of March ; but 
they continue to breed throughout the spring, and I have 
seen young birds in the nest as late as 14 August. Tamarisk 
bushes, small palms, sont bushes, and creepers like honey¬ 
suckle are the usual building-sites for the nest, which is 
generally built of grasses and lined and decorated with 
pieces of raw cotton. 
[The nest of this bird is entered by a hole in the side, 
near the top. The usual clutch consists of 3 or 4 eggs, 
and I never met with 5. April and May appear to be the 
principal breeding months. — R. S.] 
71. Prinia gracilis natronensis. Natrun Graceful Warbler. 
I secured the eggs of this subspecies in the Wadi Natrun 
late in May, 1918. Beyond one very deep red clutch of 
eggs I saw no difference in the nest, eggs, or habits from 
the preceding race. 
72. Cisticola cisticola cisticola. Fantail Warbler. 
Common and resident. I found the eggs of this species 
as early as 19 February and as late as early June, but April 
is the month when they are most numerous. My collection 
contains a wonderful variety of types, ranging from pure 
white through red-spotted on a white ground to Linnet- and 
even Thrush-like types, whilst the only five clutch I found 
consisted of eggs similar to those of the Spotted Flycatcher 
in colour. Two to four appears to be the normal number of 
eggs in a clutch. The nest is beautifully built and resembles 
the type of purse which is provided with a string to draw 
tight the mouth. It is usually built in the rank grass which 
borders the fields and canals, and is generally fairly near 
the ground. Occasionally a clump of rushes or other 
herbage surrounded by water is selected. Many nests are 
destroyed by the natives, who burn the grass to destroy 
locusts, etc. Another peculiarity of this species is its habit 
of building more than one nest, for no apparent reason, in 
