1917-] Ornithology of Malta. 495 



sometimes seen during the summer ; he records a specimen 

 shot on the 8th of June. I have seen only seven specimens 

 and these occurred in different months. I was informed 

 that several were observed on the 11th of May, 1914, and 

 many others about a week later; in spite of this, from my 

 own observations, 1 consider the species a scarce one. The 

 adjective second has been added to the local name Sil/iun., 

 at the suggestion of the Hon. Dr. Magro, to distinguish 

 it from the Pintail, which is also known by the local name 

 of Silfiun. 



227. (224) Spatula clypeata (L.). The Shoveler. 

 Local name : Palettuna. 



Wright calls this species one of the commonest of the 

 Maltese Ducks, occurring on passage from November to 

 March. Though I have met with it several times, I cannot 

 say that it is common, and I know years when not one 

 specimen could be seen. 



228. (225) Marmaronetta angustirostris (Menetr.). The 

 Marbled Duck. 



Local name : Brajmla gheddiuna rkik. 



Wright records a specimen met with by him and Capt. 

 Feilden in the Valletta Market on the 11th of May, 1874. 

 This specimen, which, on dissection, proved to be a female, 

 formed part of Captain Feilden's collection. The local 

 name, which is an equivalent of the Latin, was given to the 

 species by the Hon. Dr. Magro. 



229. (229) Dafila acuta (L.). The Pintail. 

 Local name : Silfiun. 



Schembri says that this species is rather common and 

 occurs, together with its congeners, during the winter. 1 

 think, however, that Wright is more correct in stating tliat 

 it is occasionally seen during the winter, although I have 

 met with it also at the beginning of spring. 



230. (231) Nyroca rufina (Pall.). The Red-crested 

 Pochard. 



Local name : Brajmla taC toppu ahmar. 



Wright records a specimen taken on the 1st of September, 



