observed in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. 139 



Mr. E. Newton writes to ' The Ibis/ in August 1859, dated 

 during his voyage down the Red Sea, as follows : — " Altogether I 

 have seen a good many birds between Malta and Alexandria ; " 

 and amongst the rest he notices having observed Turtur risorius. 

 Is not Columba turtur here intended ? Or if that accurate 

 observer saw T. risorius, is it not more likely to have been 

 when passing down the Red Sea, where, with T. agyptiacus, 

 T. risorius takes the place of Columba turtur ? T. risorius is 

 not included in European lists, and does not usually appear 

 so far north as the Mediterranean, which sea Columba turtur 

 annually crosses twice in its migrations from Africa to Europe, 

 and vice versa. 



143. Pterocles alchata. (Pintail Sandgrouse.) 



Schembri records the capture of several examples at Marsa- 

 scirocco {a bay on the S.E. coast of Malta), at the Marsa, and on 

 the islet of Comino, all in April 1843. Since then I have not 

 heard of any others having been taken. 



143. Perdix coturnix. (Quail.) 



Summ,iena, Maltese. 



In spring and autumn, especially the latter, large numbers of 

 these birds alight on the island, and constitute the principal 

 game of the sportsmen of Malta. Although usually arriving 

 with the prevalent winds of the season, as before mentioned in 

 reference to birds in general, they also find their way here during 

 perfect calms, provided that it is their season of migration. 

 In spring they come during the night, and chiefly to the west 

 and north-west coasts, Gozo being at this season the most favoured 

 locality. In autumn, on the contrary, they arrive for the most 

 part during the hours of daylight, and then the east and south- 

 east coasts are the parts where they are most abundant; at 

 both seasons, however, they are found scattered throughout 

 both islands. Quails come here in the greatest numbers in 

 September, though in April very large flights occasionally occur. 

 A good shot may bag in a day, in the height of the season, fifty 

 to sixty brace by hard work, notwithstanding the numerous 

 sportsmen out ; but such sport is the exception, days repeatedly 

 occurring on which hardly a bird can be found. Ten or fifteen 

 brace are ordinarily a very good bag. Various methods, in 



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