502 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



251. (339) Podiceps fluviatilis fluviatilis (Tunst.). The 

 Little Grebe. 



Local name : Blongiun terz. 



Scliembri says that young individuals of this species are 

 common, but adult ones were never seen by him. According 

 to Wright they are not uncommon about the end of August 

 or beginning of September. From my own observations I 

 can say that these birds are rather irregular in their visits 

 to the islands, and of late they appear to have become 

 remarkably scarce. 



252. (335) Colymbus stellatus I'ontoppidan. The Red- 

 throated Diver. 



Local name : Bughaddasmtal maltemp. 



According to Schembri this species is very rarely seen 

 during the winter, and he records two individuals seen by 

 him in 1839 and ISJ'l. Wright states that Dr. Gulia in- 

 formed him of four specimens shot in Gozo by M. Barthe- 

 lemy, of Marseilles, in the winter of 1858-9. I have a 

 specimen in my collection which was taken in the winter 

 of 1910. Both Schembri and Wright call this bird by 

 the Maltese name, Blongiun. I think, however, that the 

 one given, which I have taken from some sportsmen who 

 saw the specimen in my collection, suits the species much 

 better. 



253. (243) Columba pahimbus palumbns L. The Wood- 

 Pigeon. 



Local name : Tudun. 



Schembri gives the species as occurring on passage in 

 April, May, and September, without stating its frequency. 

 According to Wright, it occurs also during those months and 

 in November, but never in any great numbers. I consider 

 it by no means common, solitary individuals occurring 

 at times duriug the autumn and spring. The local name 

 '^ Tudun" is given by some sportsmen to the following- 

 species as well. 



