Handlist of the birds of Egypt / by M.J. Nicoll.

  • Michael John Nicoll
Date:
1919
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Handlist of the birds of Egypt / by M.J. Nicoll. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    230. Bearded Vulture. Gypcetus barbatus subsp.? Gypoetus nudipes, Brehm. Shelley, p. 208. The bearded vulture has been recorded on several occasions from Egypt. It possibly breeds in the Moqattam hills or near Helwan. I have several times seen single individuals near Helwan. Bring 1916 several examples were shot between Cairo and Suez and their dried heads sent to me for identification. Length about 42 inches. A black beard-like tuft of feathers on the chin ; head chiefly white, eyelids crimson ; upper parts blackish brown narrowly streaked with white; under parts sandy orange. Young birds lack the white head, and the under parts are brown. Tail blackish brown, long and wedge- shaped. 231. Marsh Harrier. Circus ceruginosus (Linnaeus). Circus ceruginosus. Shelley, p. 181. Common and probably resident in Lower Egypt; less abundant in Upper and Middle Egypt, with the exception of the Faiyum. Length about 20 inches. Adult male, crown and nape creamy buff streaked with dark brown ; mantle brown ; primaries blackish, rest of wings and tail silvery grey ; under parts buff striped with brown on breast and chestnut on abdomen and thighs. Females and young birds are uniform chocolate brown with a creamy buff patch on the head. In subsequent moults the plumage varies, and cream-coloured patches appear on the shoulders. 232. Hen Harrier. Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus). Circus cyaneus. Shelley, p. 182. Probably a winter visitor only. Common from autumn to spring in suitable localities. Length i9 inches. The adult male is pale grey above ; rump white ; throat and upper breast pale grey; rest of under parts pure white; tail feathers barred with dusky black. Females are brown above and buff below with darker stripes. Pump white marked with rufous; tail barred with brown. Young birds resemble the female, but are browner and more rufous below.
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