334 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



105. (33) Sylvia hortensis hortensis (Giii.). The Orphean 

 Warbler. ^Sylvia orphea auct.] 



Local name : Beccafic abjad. 



Schembri says that this species is not common, but occurs 

 annually in March, September, and October. According 

 to Wright, it appears to be rare, and he records a single 

 specimen seen by him which was sent to Sir William 

 Jardine in 1858. Besides this he mentions Tallack's state- 

 ment that this bird is common in the soldiirs' cemetery at 

 Floriana (and I take liere the opportunity to say that Tallack 

 is most inaccurate in several of his statements about Malta). 

 I consider this Warbler as a generally rare species, thougli 

 it occurs in considerable numbers during some years. In 

 the spring of 1907 it arrived in fairly good numbers ; since 

 that year, however, I very seldom met with it. The local 

 name given is taken from Giglioli. 



106. (27) Sylvia borin borin (Bodd.). The Garden- 

 Warbler. \_Sylvia hortensis auct.] 



Local name : Beccafic. 



Generally common, occurring on migration during both 

 seasons, when it is taken in great numbers and brought 

 into the market for sale. If it were not so much sought 

 after and persecuted, I think it would breed here freely 

 enough. I have found its nests several times. Schembri, 

 too, says that the species sometimes breeds with us, and 

 Wright states that as many as a hundred dozen are some- 

 times brought at a time into the market. It appears, 

 however, that now, the bird being protected, it is not often 

 seen exposed for sale, thougli many are still being taken and 

 consumed by the netters themselves. 



107.(32) Sylvia atricapillaatricapilla(L.). The Blackcap. 



Local name : Capinera. 



Schembri says that a few individuals arrive in March and 

 April, and Wright states that the sjjecies, which he con- 

 siders uncommon, has been observed in January, February, 

 March, September, and October. I have usually met with 

 it from February to April and from October to November, 



