19^7-] Ornitholugy of Malta. 333 



On the 5tli of October, 1909, a country lad from Bingliisa, 

 known by the name of "Wigital Musu," brought me some 

 Nightingales, among which, he said, there was a Baylial 

 rar. This I found to be a specimen of this species, so I 

 have ke})t the local name given by its captor as one which 

 might be retained. I was assured by the lad that the 

 species is not so rare as I imagined, though he called 

 the bird by that name. I must confess, however, that 

 the specimen above mentioned is the only one I have 

 seen. 



103. (43) Hippolais icterina (Vieill.). The Icterine 

 Warbler. 



Local name : Btifula tar-rebbiyhu. 



Wright says that this species has been often confounded 

 with its congener H. polyglotta, and it occurs regularly in 

 April, May, September, and October. He also states that 

 Schembri included in his catalogue H. polyghtta instead 

 of the present species. From my own observations I cannot 

 but consider the species as irregular and rare ; in fact, 

 I have not been able to procure a specimen since 1908. 

 Several who seem to know the species assure me that it is 

 to be met with only during the spring, and that they know 

 it by the name of Bujulu tar-rebbigha, which signifies " the 

 warbler of spring.^^ 



104. (44) Hippolais polyglotta (Vieill.). The Melodious 

 Warbler. 



Local name : Beccafic isfar. 



Wright says that he has never seen this species, though 

 Schembri includes it in his list. I obtained an individual, 

 shot by my friend Mr. S. Bonnici on the 18th of September, 

 1908. The bird was presented to me as the Beccafic isfar, 

 by which name it appears to be known by several country 

 people, who assert that the species occurs in fair numbers 

 during some years. Of this, however, there appears to be 

 need of further evidence. 



