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



and Scolopacida that is known to visit Malta, including some of 

 the rarer ones. The wind blew fresh from the eastward, and 

 the passage of birds continued all day. A specimen was killed 

 in the summer of 1860, and another on the 1st April 1861. 



155. Pratincola glareola. (Collared Pratincole.) 

 Perniciotta, Maltese. 



An annual visitor in spring and autumn. Tt passes in March, 

 April, and May, and again in August and September. In some 

 years it is common, and is generally found in open, freshly 

 ploughed fields, feeding upon beetles and other Coleopterous 

 insects, of which it appears to be very fond. Its flesh is coarse 

 and unfit for food. 



156. Vanellus cristatus. (Lapwing.) 

 Veneua, Maltese. 



Passes in flocks, from November to March. In 1861 some 

 were shot as late as the 14th April ; but this is a very rare 

 occurrence. 



157. Vanellus helveticus. (Grey Plover.) 

 Pluviera pastarda, Maltese. 



A pretty regular visitor in April and May, and again in 

 August and September. I have shot specimens in all its muta- 

 tions of plumage, from the light-grey suit of winter to the black- 

 and-white coat and black waistcoat it puts on for its nuptial 

 attire. The Grey Plover is generally seen here singly along the 

 sea-shore, wading at the brink of the water in the manner of the 

 Scolopacida. 



158. Grus cinerea. (Common Crane.) 

 Grua, Maltese. 



A few are seen annually in spring and autumn, and occasion- 

 ally in the winter months. One was killed on the 13th December 

 1860, and another in March 1861. 



159. Anthropoides virgo. (Numidian Crane.) 

 Damigella, Maltese. 



Accidental ; only two or three specimens are recorded. The 

 last was killed in March 1861. 



N.B.— The Balearic Crane {Balearica pavonina) is mentioned 



