156 Mr. C. A. Wright on the Birds of Malta and Gozo. 



240. Anas crecca. (Teal.) 

 Sar sella, Maltese. 



Not uncommon in spring, and from November to March. 

 They also sometimes appear diu'ing the strong north-westerly 

 winds which prevail in June. 



241. FuLiGULA FERixA. (Pochard.) 



The first Maltese specimens I saw of this species were a male 

 and female, which I shot on Fort Manoel Island, in November 

 1858. Mr. W. C. P. Medlycott afterwards shot one in Sliema 

 Creek, in December 1859. Since then I have almost yearly 

 observed a few individuals in the market. 



242. FuLiGULA CRisTATA. (Tuftcd Duck.) 

 Braimla, Maltese. 



Very rare ; seen in winter. 



243. FuLiGULA NYROCA. (Nyroca Duck.) 

 Braimla, Maltese. 



Perhaps the commonest Duck which visits the island. Ar- 

 rives in the autumn, winter, and spring. 



244. FuLiGULA RUFixA. (Red-crcsted Whistling Duck.) 



A specimen was obtained on the 1st September 1861. I 

 was only in time to secure the bill and legs, which were enough 

 to determine the species ; the rest had been consigned to the 

 pot. Mr. Tristram, I believe, has also observed it in Malta. 



245. Mergtjs serrator. (Red-breasted Merganser.) 

 Serra, Maltese. 



A well-known bird here ; but it is much rarer in some years 

 than in others. It arrives in November ; but I have seen it 

 oftenest in December and January, when both immature and, 

 very rarely, adult birds are met with. 



246. Mergus albellus. (Smew.) 

 Serra, Maltese. 



Very rare. Never saw it myself, but give it on the authority 

 of Schembri. 



247. CoLYMBUs SEPTEXTRioxALis. (Rcd-throated Diver.) 

 Blongiun, Maltese. 



Schembri states that he saw one in 1839, and another in 



