66 Mr. C. A. Wright's List of the Birds 



than the Whinchat. The Stonechat passes the winter with us, 

 which none of its congeners do. Indeed, one can scarcely move 

 about anywhere in the country in winter without seeing his 

 hvely little figure. This diflference of habit in migration has 

 also been noticed in England and Scotland, where the Stonechat 

 remains the winter, unlike the Whinchat, which invariably travels 

 south before the inclement season begins, 



106. Philomela luscinia. (Nightingale.) 

 Rosignol, Maltese. 



The Nightingale visits us in flocks in April and May, and 

 again towards the middle of August and September. It is, in 

 fact, one of the first arrivals in autumn. In spring I have often 

 listened to its thrilling notes, both in the daytime and at night, 

 the songster himself hidden in the dark foliage of the carob- 

 tree. It is, however, more appreciated here for the delicacy of 

 its flesh than the quality of its song. Attempts have been made 

 to keep it in confinement ; but it bears captivity ill, and those 

 taken in spring rarely long survive the loss of liberty. Great 

 numbers are taken in nets, which are thrown over a low spreading 

 carob-tree selected for the purpose, and the birds driven from 

 other trees into it, — a mode of capture very successfully adopted 

 for most of the Warblers and other small birds, which are sold 

 in the market under the general name of beccafichi. 



107. RuTiciLLA PHCENicuRA. (Redstart.) 

 Kudiross or Ta demhu, Maltese. 



Common in spring and autumn, and stays here several weeks 

 during its migrations. 



108. RuTiciLLA TiTHYs. (Black Redstart.) 

 Kudiross isued, Maltese. 



In spring and autumn, but not so common as the preceding. 

 I have occasionally seen it when the winter was far advanced. 



109. Erithacus rubecula. (Robin.) 

 Pettiross, Maltese. 



The Redbreast is one of our winter residents, arriving at the 

 end of September, and staying till March. Here, as at home, 

 he affects the habitation^ of man ; but not being driven by want. 



