Ornithology of the Mediterranean. 277 



panied her fall, and sat chattering defiance at me from an ad- 

 joining rail as I went to pick up his wife's dead body. 



18. Spotted Flycatcher, [Muscicapa grisola.) 

 Common in Malta and Corfu during the summer months. 



19. White-collabed Flycatcher. {Muscicapa albicollis.) 

 Same remarks apply to this as to the Spotted one. 



20. Blackbird and Common Thrush. [Turdus merula et 

 Turdus musicus.) 



Rhodes, Greece, and Ionian Islands. These birds are not 

 very plentiful in summer ; but in winter they are in the greatest 

 abundance : so I suppose that the numbers are increased by 

 migrants from more northern climes. 



21. Rock-Thrush. [Turdus sax atilis.) 

 Common in Malta in the spring. 



22. Blue Thrush. {Turdus cyaneus.) 



This beautiful songster is common in Malta and the rocky 

 caves and recesses of Greece. They are used as cage-birds about 

 the jMediterranean, and become very affectionate when tame. 

 The voice is deeper than that of T. musicus, but more chattering, 

 and not so varied and sustained. Four or five pounds is a com- 

 mon price to give for them, when good. 



The interpretation of the native name for them is the " Bird 

 of God." There is also a tradition that this is the "Sparrow'' 

 of Scripture, " that sitteth on the house-top." 



23. Golden Oriole. {Oriolus galbula.) 



During the summer this beautiful and essentially Mediter- 

 ranean bird meets the eye of the ornithologist round the whole 

 of the northern coast. Migrating from Africa about the middle 

 of April, they spread through the deep olive-woods of Corfu, the 

 dark carob-trees of Malta, and the thick bay and myrtle covers 

 of Albania and Greece. They are shy and retiring birds, and 

 generally appear like a golden gleam as they dart through the 

 dark-green foliage; but by sitting perfectly still I have been 

 enabled to watch their graceful motions for half an hour within 

 five or ten yards of me. 



