Birds observed in the Islands uj Malta and Gozo. 291 



XXII. — Appendix to List of Birds observed in the Islands of 

 Malta and Gozo^. By Charles A. Wright. 



To my previous list I have two new species to add, namely: — 



Lanius collurio. (Red-backed Shrike.) 



Some years ago, I purchased in the Malta market a bird which 

 appeared to be a female (young) of this species. This was in 

 the autumn. The specimen was in a too advanced state of de- 

 composition to be preserved ; and not being quite certain of the 

 species, I did not feel justified at the time in admitting it into 

 the list. Since then I have seen an undoubted example, which 

 had been killed in Malta, in the collection of Signor Schembri, 

 who had obtained it after the publication of his Catalogue in 

 1843. This bird may therefore be considered as an accidental 

 visitant. It is very common in autumn in the neighbourhood 

 of Athens, whence I have received specimens. 



FuLiGULA MERSA. (White-headed Duck.) 



A specimen of this interesting Duck came into my possession 

 in January last, soon after the issue of the first part of this list. It 

 was a female, and was shot during the extraordinarily bad weather 

 which prevailed about the middle of the month. I have never 

 heard of its having been met with here before. At the same 

 time a good many Ducks of various kinds, and Teal, were driven 

 on the island by the severity of the weather ; and amongst them 

 a number of Mergus albellus (an exceedingly rare bird in Malta), 

 of which I obtained an adult female and several young birds, 

 also females. Male Smews seem to be universally scarce. The 

 White-headed Duck may be readily distinguished from other 

 Ducks by its shining. Grebe-like breast, very short wings, and 

 stiff, almost Cormorant-like tail. Its gibbous bill, which is espe- 

 cially observable in the male, is also a remarkable feature. As 

 it is said to be common in some parts of the northern coast of 

 Africat, as well as Sicily and Corfu, it is curious that we do not 

 oftener have it here. 



Besides these novelties, I have registered the following occur- 



'" See antea, p. 13/. 



t It is common on the lagoon of El Bahciia, near Tunis. — Ed. 



