261 
1921 .] Birds oj Lower Egypt. 
99. Hirundo daurica rufiila. Red-rumped Swallow. 
Rarely observed at Abu Zabal, but on 1 May, 1917, a 
fair number of these birds were seen hawking for flies over 
the reed-beds at the BIrket Aceraslii. 
100. Belichon urhica urbica ? House-Martin. 
Never very numerous, but observed at various times in 
spring and autumn. Six seen on 18 April, 1916. 
101. Riparia riparia riparia. Sand-Martin. 
This species passes through Abu Zabal in fair numbers, 
but is not readily distinguished from the following sub¬ 
species, and, in consequence, I am not certain of dates. 
102. Riparia riparia littoralis. Shelley’s Sand-Martin. 
Abundant from the end of March throughout the summer, 
breeding in colonies in the sand-banks. One large colony 
had their nesting-holes in a sand-bank not more than 
eighteen inches high in a sand-pit near the Birket Accrashi. 
1 took eggs there on 10 April, 1916, and had difficulty in 
finding a clutch of five. On 8 April, 1918, I found many 
nests containing five eggs. Major F. W. Borman showed 
me a thriving colony in some trenches at the School of 
Instruction close to a busy camp at Zeitoun. 
[Very large colonies at Shubra Island and in both banks 
of the Nile between Rod-el-Farag and the Barrage. It also 
nests at Abbassia and at Abu Roash. I took many eggs 
between 18-22 March in 1909-10.—R. S.] 
103. Riparia obsoleta obsoleta. Pale Crag-Martin. 
Although this species was never observed at Abu Zabal 
it is not uncommon near the Citadel in Cairo and in the 
cliffs behind. I found a nest there in an old lime-kiln on 
2 April, 1918, on which the bird was sitting. Owing to the 
position of the nest I was unable to investigate it. This 
species also breeds inside the domes of some of the houses in 
the main streets of Heliopolis, and I have seen them feeding 
young there in April. Captain W. Bigger found fresh eggs 
at Luxor on 19 February, 1917. 
