observed in the Islands of Malta andGozo. 43 



colinus, Lath., by Bree and others, have no claim to be Maltese. 

 Barbary Partridges have, it is true, been killed in Malta ; but 

 considerable numbers being brought over from Barbary, it is not 

 improbable that they were fugitives. In 1808 some of these 

 birds were turned out on the rocky islet of Comino, between 

 Malta and Gozo, where they multiplied, but for many years have 

 been extinct. Other necessary corrections will be met with in 

 the following list, in which, as a general rule, I have followed the 

 nomenclature of Degland. 



As might naturally be expected, the arrivals of birds chiefly 

 take place at the periods of the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, 

 during their migration at the former season to Europe, and at 

 the latter on their return to Africa. Occasional visitors appear 

 during the winter months, and a few in summer. Birds 

 generally arrive and leave at night, and do not usually remain 

 more than one day, thus giving little opportunity of studying 

 their habits. Some species, however, remain a few months on 

 the island, and several of them breed here en route to Europe ; 

 whilst flocks, chiefly of Grallatores and Natatores, may be seen 

 passing high in the air, without alighting. Taking into con- 

 sideration the nature of the island, the absence of forest-trees, 

 the want of rivers and marshes, and the dense population spread 

 over every part of the country, it will be apparent that, even 

 putting aside the crowds of native sportsmen who sally out 

 during the shooting-seasons, there is little inducement to migra- 

 tory birds to prolong their stay. 



The influence exerted by the wind over these migrations is 

 doubtless very great, and aflbrds an interesting point for eluci- 

 dation. Owing to the changeable and local character of the 

 winds in the Mediterranean, it is not easy to lay down any 

 general rules with much precision ; but observation has shown 

 that the following facts are pretty constant. In spring, the 

 Quails and most of the short-winged and smaller birds, and such 

 as are of weak flight, although not unfrequently arriving in calm 

 weather, generally appear during the prevalence of winds from the 

 N.N.W. to S.S.W., and in autumn, with those from the S.S.E. to 

 N.N.E., being probably stopped in their migratory course, and 

 driven to seek rest on our shores. Sometimes a fresh breeze 



