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



sent in 1858 to Sir W. Jardiue by his son, who was serving in one 

 of Her Majesty's ships on this station. Schembri states that a 

 few pass yearly, in March, September, and October. A recent 

 writer on Malta (Tallack) says it is common in the Soldiers' 

 Cemetery at Floriana; but I believe this statement arose from 

 a misunderstanding, and that the Sardinian Warbler [S. melano- 

 cephala) was meant. 



116. Sylvia cinerea. (Whitethroat.) 



One of the commonest of the Sylviidce in spring and autumn, 



117. Sylvia PAssERiNA. (Subalpine Warbler.) 



This pretty species is a regular visitant in spring and autumn. 

 It is not uncommon in March, April, and September. It varies 

 much in size. 



118. Sylvia conspicillata. (Spectacled Warbler.) 

 Ghasfur-e.l-harruh or Ghasfur tal Gamiem, Maltese. 



The only one of the Warblers that is a constant resident. It 

 is partial to dry stony places, and selects for its nest low coarse 

 under-shrubs, such as Inula viscosa and Euphorbia dendroides, 

 which flourish in wild rocky situations. During the time of 

 nidification its vigorous and pleasing song is heard for a con- 

 siderable distance around, delivered from the topmost branch of 

 a tree, or the apex of a stone, in the vicinity of its nest, over 

 which it sometimes hovers and sings in the manner of the Blue 

 Thrush. It has another note, somewhat like that of the S. me- 

 lanocephala, but less powerful. It is an early breeder, laying 

 four or five eggs, and, I should think, produces two broods in 

 the season, as I have found nests with young in May and June 

 as well as in March. In fine weather it commences singing as 

 early as January. It appears very excited on any one approaching 

 its nest, from which it never wanders far. A favourite place for 

 it is the Soldiers' Cemetery at Floriana, before alluded to, where 

 a search for it will seldom prove unsuccessful. It delights in 

 flitting from tombstone to tombstone, or amongst the under- 

 shrubs and few trees to be found there. It will allow itself to 

 be watched very closely, and reward the observer with strains of 

 music, which, if not of ajaigh order, strike pleasantly on the ear in 



