294 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



in my collection taken on the 26th of May, 1913 — an ex- 

 ceptionally late date for the occurrence of the Starling in 

 Malta, I have been assured that several females, on dis- 

 section, were found to contain ovaries in such an advanced 

 state that in a short time they would undoubtedly have laid ; 

 in spite of this, however, I have no difficulty in saying that 

 we have not yet any authentic record of the breeding of the 

 species with us. According to Scliembri, new arrivals of 

 the Starling are noticed in March ; I believe, however, that 

 these are only some of those which have wintered with us. 



9. (137) Sturnus unicolor Temm. The Sardinian Starling. 



Local name : Slurnell iswecl. 



A very rare visitor, first reported by Scherabri, who states 

 that two specimens were shot from a flock of five or six by 

 Mr. B. Ellul. Wright also records several locally taken 

 specimens. I have seen three stuffed specimens in 

 Mr. Micallef's collection, and another one in the Uni- 

 versity Museum — this bears neither date nor locality. The 

 three in Mr. Micallef's collection were taken in October 

 and handled by him in the flesh. In the autumn of 1907, 

 I observed two of these birds together with the Common 

 Starling, and another on the 5th of November, 1911; a 

 specimen was shot in the neighbourhood of Birzebbugia 

 in the summer of 1916 — this was preserved by a local bird- 

 stuffer. To the majority of bird-dealers and poulterers, the 

 species is known by the name above giv?n. All, however, 

 admit its rarity, and I have not yet succeeded in procuring 

 a specimen for my collection, though I have done my very 

 best. 



10. (138) Pastor roseus (L.). The Rose-coloured Pastor. 



Local name : Sturnell rosa. 



A rather rare and irregular visitor. Schembri recoi'ds the 

 occurrence of five individuals : the first was seen by him at 

 Bingemma in August 1835, the second in 1840, the third was 

 taken in the nets in 1841, and another two observed also by 



