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



This is the Common Gull of Malta, and visits us very regu- 

 larly at the time of its migrations. It arrives in large flocks about 

 the first week of December, and sometimes a little earlier. By 

 the end of March, when it has assumed the pure black head of 

 the breeding-plumage, it suddenly departs in search of suitable 

 places for nidification. Not a single bird lingers behind; and 

 all my endeavours to find it breeding here have proved in vain. 

 It is very sociable in its habits, and during winter congregates 

 in large flocks in the harbours, feeding on the ofi'al from the 

 ships and town. It is amusing to see what excellent time- 

 keepers they are in reference to the hours of meals on board the 

 men-of-war. On their return in December the black head is 

 no longer visible, having become white at the autumnal moult. 

 They are then accompanied by the young of the year, which, 

 like other Gulls, difi'er considerably in their plumage from the 

 adult birds. Mr. Medlycott and Mr. Tristram saw this species 

 breeding in the clifi"s of the Island of Sardinia, in May. 



217. Larus RiDiBUNDUS. (Black- or Brown-headed Gull.) 

 Associates with the former species, but is by no means so 



common. It does not appear to remain long enough to assume 

 the brown head ; at least, I have never met with it in the breed- 

 ing-dress. Scbembri mentions having obtained a specimen of 

 the variety Larus capistratus, Temm., or Masked Gull, which he 

 includes as a species. 



218. Larus minutus. (Little Gull.) 



In some years this species is pretty plentiful in our harbours 

 in winter, and it not unfrequently arrives in September. Its 

 great tameness and fearlessness of danger are a remarkable fea- 

 ture in this bird. I have shot as many as nine or ten in the 

 course of a few hours, and might have shot more. It may easily 

 be recognized on the wing by its small size, peculiar light 

 butterfly manner of flight, and dark under-wing-coverts, I have 

 never seen it here in the breeding-plumage. Besides the general 

 name of Gauja, or Gull, the Maltese call it Cirleua, or Tern, 

 from its somewhat similar mode of flight. 



219. Sterna cantiaca. (Sandwich Tern.) 



A few are sometimes seen in autumn and winter. 



