284 jNIr. G. Despott on the [J^i^j 



sad condition, and it is feared tliat the majority of speci- 

 mens may be considered a total loss. 



(4) Mr. C. Zaramit Gauci's, at Casal Zebbug, contains 

 also a good number of specimens, all of which have been 

 taken and mounted by the collector himself. 



(5) Mr. G. Dimech's, also at Casal Zebbug, contains 

 specimens taken and mounted by the collector and Ids 

 father, Mr. R. Dimech. 



(6) Mr. G. Saliba's, at Rabato Gozo, is a small collection; 

 it contains, however, the first example taken in ]\Ialta of the 

 Black-bellied Sand-Grouse. 



(7) Prof. Dr. E. C. Vassallo's, at Valletta, contains a 

 number of interesting and rare species, mostly taken by 

 Dr. Vassallo himself, and about which the Professor has 

 some very interesting notes. 



(8) Mr. A. Grech Eilul's, at Birchircara, contains a 

 good number of specimens, all of which were received in the 

 flesh by their collector, who is one of our best professionjil 

 taxidermists. 



(9) Mr. G. Agius's, at Marsascirocco. This consists 

 mostly of Waders and water-birds, shot by the collector, 

 from the fish-ponds of Marsascala and Marsascirocco. 



(10) Mr. A. Cachia Zammit's, at San Giorgio a Mare. 

 This is one of the older collections, which is fortunately in 

 a good state of preservation ; it contains amongst other 

 varieties one of the few Pelicans taken in the island, and 

 perhaps some of the specimens recorded by Schembri in his 

 list of 1843. 



(11) My private collection, at Valletta, contains now over 

 250 species and nearly 1000 specimens, all of which were 

 received in the flesh and mounted by my brother, Mr. A. 

 Despott, and myself. Amongst the rare specimens I can 

 mention a Baikal Teal, an Egyptian Goose, a Guillemot, 

 a Red-throated Diver, two Little Auks, a Jay, and a 

 Bifasciated Lark. 



In addition to these collections there are those of local 

 bird-stuffers; these are^ of course, continually fluctuating iu 



