240 Mr. C. A. Wright on Birds observed in Malta and Gozo. 



was the presence of a small fish, which he had captured and 

 laid at his feet, and his not wishing to renounce so good a 

 chance of a meal. Taking up the fish to examine, and care- 

 fully replacing it, I had no sooner done so, than my little 

 friend immediately resumed his stand on the cork. So much 

 fearlessness and confidence were enough to touch even a col- 

 lector's heart, and nothing could have induced me to repay 

 them by injury. Indeed I shot no more specimens that day. 

 The best way to distinguish the Black Tern from the White- 

 winged Black Tern [Sterna leucoptera) , in all states of plu- 

 mage, is by comparing the length of the tarsi, there being a 

 considerable and constant difference, that of the Black Tern 

 being shorter. 



PUFFINUS CINEREUS and PUFFINUS ANGLORUM (Ibis, 1864, 



p. 153). Although examples of these birds may be seen nearly 

 throughout the year, it is in March that they approach the 

 shores of these islands for the purpose of breeding, old and 

 young taking their departure in October. 



Pelecanus oxocrotalus (Ibis, 1864, p. 154; 1865, p. 466) . 

 There was a Pelecan in immature plumage exhibited for sale 

 in the market on the 27th, 1872, which I ascertained had 

 been shot in Gozo. 



FuLiGULA cristata (Ibis, 1864, p. 156). One of these rare 

 Ducks, a fine male, was noticed in the market on the 19th 

 Nov., 1873, by Capt. Feilden. The winter of 1873-74 has 

 been remarkable for the large number of Woodcock, Duck, 

 and Teal that have been taken here during the time of mi- 

 gration. 



N.B. Stercorarius catarrhactes and Cygnus ferns require 

 further confirmation before being accepted as accidental visi- 

 tors. The statement of the appearance of S. catarrhactes 

 (Ibis, 1864, p. 151) was based on a very dilapidated specimen; 

 and I have reason to fear that I was mistaken in referring it 

 to that species. The head, wing-bones, and feet are still in 

 ray possession ; so that it may yet be determined by com- 

 parison with other specimens. It was shot as long ago as 



