304 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



arrive here in October remain for the winter ; from my 

 personal observations, however^ I can say that such is the 

 persecution these birds are subjected to, that very few 

 chauces are given them for wintering here. The local 

 name Sponsoun, given by Giglioli, is evidently a misprint. 



29. (107) Fringilla ccelebs spodiogenys Bp. The Algerian 

 Chaffinch. 



Local name : Sponsun abjad. 



Wright says that he never met with this form of the Chaf- 

 hnch in Malta. I saw two specimens on the 29th of October, 

 1908; these were taken in the vicinity of Casal Axiak by 

 a country lad, nick-named " Taz-zaram." Two days later I 

 was fortunate enough to capture a specimen myself, so 

 I no longer hesitate to admit the species to our list. 

 During the summer of 1911 another of these birds was 

 taken by a man who was netting for Sparrows ; knowing, 

 however, that during that summer several of these Chaf- 

 finches had been imported from the north coast of Africa, 

 I cannot give the occurrence except as doubtful. The local 

 name Sponsun abjad has been obtained from the dealers on 

 St. John^s Square (Valletta). 



30. Fringilla montifringilla L. The Branibliug. 

 Local name : Sponsun salvagy. 



Schembri says that this species, which is not common, 

 arrives here in October, and Wright, who considers it 

 rather rare, says that a few are taken nearly every year. 

 IVom my own experience 1 cannot but call these birds rare. 

 The specimens I have seen were always taken during the 

 autumn, but their passage by no means appears to be 

 an annual occurrence. I have seen a specimen in the 

 possession of Lorenzo Calleja which was a cross between 

 this and the Common Chaffinch. 



31. (103) Passer montanus montanns (L.). The Tree- 

 Sparrow. 



Local name : Ghasfur tal bejt tus-sigiar. 



Schembri says that this species is rather rare, and it is 



