observed in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. 143 



by authors as having been met with at Malta, but I have not 

 been able to confirm this. 



160. Ardea cinerea. (Common Heron.) 

 Russet imperial, Maltese. 



Not uncommon in spring and autumn. Sometimes seen in 

 winter in stormy weather. 



161. Ardea purpurea. (Purple Heron.) 

 Russet culur-cannella, Maltese. 



Large flocks may be seen passing in spring and autumn. 

 Single birds are also often seen and shot. They alight on the 

 earob-trees and along the sea-shore. 



162. Ardea alba. (White Heron.) 

 Schembri records this Heron as a rare visitor. 



163. Ardea garzetta. (Egret.) 

 Ayrett, Maltese. 



Common in spring and autumn. Large flocks are often seen 

 passing, in company with A, purpurea. 



164. Ardea comata. (Squacco Heron.) 

 Agrett isfar (Yellow Heron), Maltese. 



I have met with this bird most frequently in May, and shot 

 four or five at difierent times on Fort Mauoel Island in that 

 month. It is also seen in June. It passes again in September. 



165. Ardea bubulcus. (Buff-backed Heron.) 



There is a preserved skin of this bird in the Malta University 

 Museum -, and Schembri records the capture of two specimens in 

 Malta. 



166. Ardea stellaris. (Bittern.) 

 Cappun imperial, Maltese. 



It is only now and then that one hears of a Bittern being 

 shot, and it is certainly a rare bird. One was killed at the 

 Marsa in March 1859, another in the spring of 1860, and 

 another in December following. Another was brought to me 

 in October 1863. 



167. Ardea minuta. (Little Bittern.) 

 Blongios, Maltese. 



Not uncommon in April, May, and September. It may often 



