512 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



290. (298) Tringa stagnatilis (Bechst.). The Marsh- 

 Sandpiper. 



Local name : Cewcewwa seconda. 



Occurs on passage, together with the preceding. Wright 

 says it is not very common, and I shoiUd say that at present 

 it is undoubtedly very scarce. Schembri appears not to 

 have realized the difference between this and the preceding 

 species. 



291. (282) Phalaropus fulicarius (L). The Grey Pha- 

 larope. 



Local name : Barusa griza. 



I have never met with this species in Malta. Both 

 Giglioli and Arrigoni degli Oddi, however, state that it has 

 occurred, here. 



292. (281) Phalaropus lobatus (L.). The Red-necked 

 Phalarope. 



Local name : Barusa. 



The only specimen known to have occurred in these 

 islands is one which was shot by Prof. R. Falzon, who 

 noted the occurrence in 'II Naturalista Maltese^ of 1890. 

 The local name was taken by Prof. Tagliaferro from a fisher- 

 man, who, on being shown the above-mentioned specimen, 

 stated he hfid seen a pair of these birds taken from the 

 fish-ponds of Marsascirocco many years ago. 



293. (280) Himantopus himantopus (L.). The Blaek- 

 winged Stilt. 



Local name : Fr as- servient. 



Schembri calls this species very common, saying that it 

 occurs on passage in March, September, and October. 

 Wright says it is not uncommon in March and April, 

 appearing again in September and October. From my own 

 observations I should say tiiat, though it visits us during 

 both seasons, it is by no means common, and of late years 

 has become undoubtedly rare. Some sportsmen call this 

 bird by the local nauie "Cavalier" ; this, however, was once 

 intended for the Oyster-catcher, which is to-day known by 

 another local name. 



