380 
Mr. W. Raw on the 
[Ibis, 
193. Charadrius morinellas. Dotterel. 
Occasionally small parties were observed at Abn Zabaal. 
Usually seen on dry fallow land or the open desert. In 
some winters more numerous than others. Is always tame 
and confiding. Specimens obtained on 19 December and 
2 January. 
194. Himantopus himantopus himantopus. Black-winged 
Stilt. 
This species passes through Abu Zabaal in spring and 
autumn. Observed between 22 March and 16 April and 
during the first fortnight in September. 
Major F. W. Borman and I found six pairs breeding in a 
most foul swamp at the Wadi Natrun in 1918. We found 
three nests containing eggs much incubated on 25 May. 
Two nests contained three eggs, and one nest two. 
195. Hoplopterus spinosus. Spur-winged Plover. 
Common and resident at Inchas, and fairly numerous at 
Abu Zabaal. This species breeds from 10 April onwards, 
and I saw a clutch of four eggs near the Birket Accrashi as 
late as 10 August, 1910. The eggs are frequently laid on 
the margin of a pool of stagnant water, and sometimes are 
quite conspicuous by being shown up in the white salty 
deposit left by the receding water. Four is the usual 
clutch, but I have found the bird sitting on two or three 
only. This species is very wary, and is much detested by 
shooters, as it gives a very noisy alarm on the approach of 
danger. Eggs were taken in the Wadi Natrun, and newly- 
hatched chicks seen at the end of May 1918. 
[My dates for fresh eggs taken at Inchas vary from 
20 April to 27 June, though mid-May seems to be the best 
time. I have one pair of eggs, incubated when found, 
which have a very strong erythristic tendency.—R. S.] 
196. Recurvirostra avosetta avosetta. Avocet. 
A flock of twelve were identified when flying over Abu 
Zabaal on 28 September, 1916. 
