496 Mr. G. Despott on the [This, 



1861. I know of the occurrence of three other inrlividuals, 

 the first being tlie one which is preserved in tlie University 

 Museum — this was shot at Marsascirocco in January 1892 ; 

 the second was obtained in the Valletta Market on the 

 4th of April, 1904, the third was taken in December 1914, 

 both these have also heen preserved — I could not make 

 out, however, where they are to be found at present. 

 The local name was given to the species by the late Prof. 

 Tagliaferro. 



231. (232) Nyroca feriua ferina (L.). Tlie Common 

 Pochard. 



Local name : Brajmla hamra. 



Wright says that the first Maltese specimens he saw were 

 a male and a female shot by him on Fort Manoel Island 

 in November 1858 ; he records also one shot in Sliema 

 Creek by Mr. INIedlycott in December 1859, and states that 

 from that year he met with a few individuals at the market 

 annually. I have seen two or three specimens in the 

 market ; these, however, were imported with other game 

 from Sicily, and I have not yet succeeded in seeing a locally 

 taken one. 



232. (235) Nyroca nyroca (Giildenst.). The White-eyed 

 Pochard. 



Local name : Brajmlu. 



Both Schembri and Wright say that this species is 

 common — it is by no means so, however, at present ; I know 

 two or thi'ce seasons when it occurred in good numbers, 

 but this is to be considered exceptional. The species is 

 undoubtedly more frequent during the winter, though it 

 is observed also during the autumn and spring. 



233. (234) Nyroca faligula (L.). The Tufted Duck. 

 Local name : Brajmla tat-toppu. 



Schembri says that this Duck, which is met with always 

 during the winter, is rare. Wright calls it very rare, and^ in 

 the fifth appendix to his list, he records a specimen noticed 

 in the market by Capt. Feilden on the 19th of November, 



