1917-] Orniffwlogy of Malta . 493 



220. (221) Tadorna casarca (Linn.). The Ruddy Sheld- 

 Duck. 



Local name : Culuvert ta Barbarja aJim/ir. 



Wright records a specimen shot by Signor F. Borg. 

 Oiglioli mentions three specimens recorded by Wright, 

 saying that only one date is givoi, namely, for that taken 

 in December 1864. A specimen was brouglit into the 

 Valletta Market in January 1911 ; this was, however, in 

 such a bad condition that it could not be preserved. 

 The local name is, like the English, an equivalent of the 

 Latin. 



221. (222) Anas l)oschas boschas L. The Mallard. 

 Local names : Culuvert ^ , Burca ? . 



Schembri says that this species is rather common along 

 our coast during the winter; a/nd Wright, who calls it not 

 uncommon, says that it occurs in November and December, 

 and appears again in March. From my personal experience 

 I should say that, though a regular migrant during both 

 spring and winter, it is a rather scarce bird. I have known 

 individuals taken during the summer and autumn ; in the 

 former, however, its occurrence must be considered quite 

 exceptional. Besides the name given above, Culuvert prim 

 and Borca prima are also assigned to this species. I have 

 seen several large flocks of these birds passing duiing stormy 

 weather, and they apparently contiime their way without 

 alighting. 



222. (223) Anas strepera L. The Gadwall. 

 Local name : Culuvert second. 



Schembri says that the Gadwall is common here during 

 the winter, and Wright states that it is only occasionally 

 observed. According to my own oljservations it is by no 

 means common : in fact, I have seen only three specimens 

 in the flesh — the first was shot on the 4th of October, 

 1912, in the vicinity of St. PauFs Bay, the other two I 

 found in the Valletta Market, on the 14th of January, 1913, 

 and on the 3rd of February of the same year. Besides 



