1917-] Ornithology of Malta . 347 



on the lltli of the same month. I have seen two or three 

 of these specimens, but I could not make out if the one 

 mounted by Mr. Micallef was one of the six specimens shot 

 by Paruis or a different one altogether. On the 20th of 

 November, 1916, a specimen was shot within the limits of 

 Siggiewi by my friend Mr. Jos. Zammit, who sent it to me, 

 and it now forms part of my collection. The adjective 

 prin added to the local name signifies " greater.^^ 



140. (56) Prunella modularis modularis (L.) , The Conti- 

 nental Hedge- Sparrow. 



Local name : Zerzur. 



According to Schembri this species is very rare, generally 

 appearing in December and January. Wright calls it rather 

 rare, and records several captures from November to May ; 

 I have seen it taken in spring and autumn, but never in the 

 winter. The local name Canal salvagg is given in several 

 lists for this bird ; I find, however, that none of the bird- 

 dealers and netters know the species by such a name. On 

 the contrary, I met with several others who know it by the 

 one I have given, and this I heard for the first time from 

 my friend Mr. C. Zammit Gauci, who is one of our best 

 taxidermists and a very keen observer of our birds. 



141. (61) Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes (L,). The 

 Wren. 



Local name : Ghasfur tal mattemp. 



Reported by Blasius on the authority of Giglioli, who, 

 besides giving the local name, says that the species is of 

 accidental occurrence in Malta. I am under the impression 

 that some years ago I handled one of these birds, which 

 was captured at Wied iz-Zurrik, and I have heard from 

 several other observers of the occurrence of the species in 

 these islands ; despite all this, however, further evidence is 

 desirable. 



142. (88) Hirnndo rustica rustica L. The Swallow. 

 Local name : Huttafa. 



The Swallow visits us in fair numbers during its migrations 



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