470 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



156. (155) Coracias garrulus garrulus L. The Roller. 

 Local name : Farrug. 



Like the Bee-eater this species occurs on migration during 

 both seasons^ and is also more common during the spring. 

 From my own experience I should say that during the 

 autumn it is rather scarce. Schembri states that it is 

 said that in the spring of 1843 a pair of these birds nested 

 in a ruined house in Zurrico. This, however, is evidently 

 in need of confirmation ; moreoA^er, Schembri does not give 

 the source of his statement. Besides the name given above, 

 "' KarnanMic" and " Tajra Cahla" are also used. '"'' Farrug'^ 

 however, is the more common. 



157. (154) Alcedo ispida ispida L. The Kingfisher, 

 Local name : Ghasfur ta San Martin. 



According to Schembri, this species makes its appearance 

 here in August and September, disappearing entirely in 

 November. He also says that this bird, though rarely, 

 sometimes breeds with us. This last statement seems to 

 have been copied by Wright, who records a specimen killed 

 on the 14th of March, 1862. As regards the breeding of 

 the species in Malta, further evidence is required. I can 

 add that, besides the months mentioned by Schembri 

 and Wright, I have met with it also in February, May, 

 November, and December. It also seems that in some 

 years it occurs in fairly good numbers, while in others it is 

 very scarce. 



158. (152) Picus viridis viridis L. The Green Wood- 

 pecker. 



Local name : Bulibbiet ahdar. 



In May 1903 a specimen was shot in the neighbour- 

 hood of Birzebbugia by Lorenzo Zammit, a lad from the 

 locality. Unfortunately it was consigned to the pot. The 

 head and wings, however, which were quite enough for 

 the identification of the species, were nailed to a door. 

 In our Natural History Museum there is a specimen 

 which bears neither date nor locality, though it is said 



