4G Mr. C. A. Wright's List of the Birds 



7. MiLVUS REGALis. (Common Kite.) 

 Falkun, Maltese. 



Very rare. Said by Schembri to breed in Gozo ; but I have 

 not been able to obtain any confirmation of this fact. 



8. MiLvus NIGER. (Black Kite.) 

 Astun, Maltese. 



Very rare. 



9. Circus rufus. (Marsh Harrier.) 



Bu-ghadam (meaning " the father of bones " — a name given 

 by the Maltese to the different species of this genus, in reference 

 to their great osseous development). 



The Marsh Harrier is pretty common in spring and autumn, 

 commencing to appear, in the former season, in March, and in 

 the latter in September. It may then be seen, with the other 

 Harriers, hunting the rocks and fields for quails, lizards, insects, 

 and small birds. Harriers will turn at the sound of a quail-call, 

 and the Maltese sportsmen often use it to draw them within 

 shot. 



10. Circus cyaneus. (Hen Harrier.) 



Bu-ghadam abiad (" white father of bones "), adult male ; 

 Bu-ghadam, female and young, Maltese. 



Visits us at the same time as the preceding species. A cir- 

 cumstance regarding this bird is worthy of remark. Although 

 I have closely examined as many as thirty females in one season, 

 all exhibiting the white rump, or having it very slightly spotted, 

 I have never met with an adult male. 



11. Circus cineraceus. (Montagu's Harrier.) 

 Bu-ghadam abiad, adult male ; Bu-ghadam, female and young, 



Maltese. 



Much less common than the other Harriers. Appears at the 

 same seasons. 



12. Circus pallidus. (Pale-chested Harrier.) 

 Bu-ghadam abiad, adult male ; Bu-ghadam, female and young, 



Maltese. 



This is perhaps the commonest of the Maltese Harriers, and 



