observed in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. 65 



fabulous prices are sometimes given for a good songster. An 

 instance is fresh in my memory of a noble lady who considered 

 herself fortunate in securing one for £7 10s., as the owner was 

 very loth to part with it ; and two or three pounds is not an 

 unusual price. The male nestlings may easily be distinguished 

 from the females at a very early age by their blue wing-coverts. 

 In confinement they are much subject to a disease of the feet, 

 which generally proves fatal. The Maltese suspend a piece of 

 red cloth and a cowry-shell in its cage, which they consider a 

 certain specific against the " evil eye." 



101. Saxicola genanthe. (Wheatear.) 

 Kuda bianca, Maltese. 



Abundantly spread over the island in spring and autumn. 

 In the former season it commences to appear in March, and in 

 the latter in August. 



102. Saxicola stapazina. (Russet Wheatear.) 

 Dumnikan, Maltese. 



Comparatively scarce ; but a regular annual visitor in spring 

 and autumn. It arrives at the same time as the preceding species, 

 or perhaps a little later. It sometimes perches on the branches 

 of trees — a habit I have never observed in Saxicola cenanthe. 



103. Saxicola aurita. (Eared Wheatear.) 

 Dumnikan, Maltese. 



This bird first came under my notice as a visitor to Malta 

 in 1859. I shot one, in the spring of that year, in St. Julian's 

 Valley. Since then I have met with it annually in spring and 

 autumn, although never in any great numbers. It arrives and 

 departs about the same time as the other Wheatears. 



104. Saxicola rubetra. (Whinchat.) 

 Buciak tal Kudi, Maltese. 



Arrives at the same time as the other Saxicola. In April 

 and May, and again in September, it may be met with almost 

 daily in the fields and open places. 



105. Saxicola rubicola. (Stonechat.) 

 Buciak, Maltese. 



Also arrives in spring and autumn, but is rather more common 



VOL. VI. p 



