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



of the few plants that grow on that desolate rock. The fisher- 

 men use the flesh of these birds to bait their wicker pots. 



227. Thalassidroma pelagica. (Storm Petrel.) 

 Cangiu-ta-Filfla, Maltese. 



Sedentary, and very common on the south side of the island. 

 Also breeds at Filfla. It lays a single white egg, without making 

 any nest. This bird was described by Schembri as a new species, 

 under the name of T. melitensis, on account of certain variations 

 in the white markings of the tail-feathers. These variations, 

 however, are observable in specimens from other parts of Europe. 



228. Phalacrocorax carbo. (Cormorant.) 

 Margun, Maltese. 



Not uncommon, but is not very regular in its visits. Gene- 

 rally appears in the winter months. I have seen it, however, in 

 spring, summer, and autumn. 



229. Pelecanus onocrotalus. (Pelican.) 

 Sassia (Scoop), Maltese. 



Accidental. In 1848 a great many were driven on this island 

 during a violent gale of wind from the north-east, and many 

 were shot at Sliema, St. Julian's, and other places on the north 

 coast. In July 1859, after a gale from the north-west, a male 

 in full breeding-plumage was shot at Marsascirocco. At the end 

 of October and beginning of November 1861 several were seen, 

 and two or three shot (young birds). 



230. Anser sylvestris. (Bean Goose.) 

 Wizza salvaggia, Maltese. 



In stormy weather about the time of the autumnal equinox, 

 and in winter, flocks of Wild Geese are sometimes seen passing 

 over the island or along the coast. They seldom make any 

 stay, and are not very often shot. All those I have examined 

 were of this species. 



]S.B. — The two specimens of Anser hrachyrhynchus noticed in 

 my list, published in Dr. Gulia's ' Ripertorio di Storia Naturale 

 di Malta,' as having been obtained in the Malta market in May 

 1858 by Mr. Tristram, proved, on closer examination by that 

 gentleman, to be examples oi Anser sylvestris ; so that^. hrachy- 

 rhynchus must come out of the Malta list. 



