observed in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. 145 



Spring and autumn. Oftencst seen in September and October. 

 It also passes in July, when its well-known call may not unfre- 

 quently be heard on still nights. 



174. NuMENius PH^opus. (Whimbrel.) 



175. NuMENius TENUiROSTRis. (Slender-billed Curlew.) 

 These two birds are often confounded together, and are indis- 

 criminately called by the Maltese sportsmen Gnrlin sekond and 

 Gurlin terz. They arrive at the sarnie seasons as the Common 

 Curlew. I have shot five or six specimens of N. tenuirostris at 

 different times, and examined many others obtained in the 

 market. It is certainly the commonest species of the three. I 

 cannot agree with Dr. Bree's opinion that there can be any 

 question regarding the specific difference between N. phcBopus 

 and N. tenuirostris. As far as my observations extend, the 

 difference between the two species is distinct and constant ; and 

 the points in which they differ are clearly laid down by Degland, 

 and entirely correspond with my own experience. The variations 

 observable in the size and length of the bill should not present 

 any difficulty, as the same occur in the common species, N. ar- 

 quatus, and doubtless arise from difference of age and sex. I gain 

 confidence in this opinion on reading a letter from Sir "William 

 Jardine to Dr. Leith Adams, which has been kindly placed at 

 my disposal. The remarks contained in this letter are so much 

 to the purpose, that I shall make no apology for giving them 

 here. Referring to some specimens of the Slender-billed Curlew 

 sent to him from Malta by Dr. Adams and myself. Sir William 

 Jardine says : — 



" You may rest perfectly satisfied about N. tenuirostris. I have 

 not seen Dr. Bree's remarks, but there is no doubt about the 

 distinction. I have compared Whimbrels from a great many 

 localities, and they agree very well together ; and I have type-spe- 

 cimens of T. tenuirostris from the Prince of Canino, which are 

 identical witli the birds I examined, and now have from you. The 

 nearest state of the Whimbrel to T. tenuirostris is the male in 

 breeding-plumage. This I have, killed in May; but it is easily 

 distinguished by strength of bill, head-markings, and tail. Of 

 com'se, in both the kinds you have, the bills differ in length, 

 thickness, and strength, as in the Curlew.'' 



