igi?-] Ornithology of Malta. 515 



still more common. Very often individuals linger here 

 throughout the winter — in fact, I have seen specimens taken 

 almost continually throughout that season. It generally 

 departs a little before the Common Snipe in the spring. 



303. (283) Scolopax rusticola L. The Woodcock. 

 Local name : Gallina. 



This species occurs regularly during the autumn, but is 

 generally considered scarce. The first arrivals are usually 

 observed by the first week of October. The birds continue 

 to be taken throughout November, and a few individuals 

 Avinter also with us. I have seen specimens shot in March 

 and September, and on one occasion saw one taken in 

 August. 



304. (307) Hydrochelidon nigra nigra (L.). The Black 

 Tern. 



Local name : Cirlewwa seuda, 



Schembri considers this species common, saying that it 

 occurs from September onwards. Wright states that it is 

 occasionally seen in August ; he records a specimen shot by 

 him from a flock of three on Fort Manoel on the 23rd of 

 July, 1859. In the fifth appendix to his list he mentions a 

 large number which visited our harbour in July 1870, and 

 which remained here until the end of September. From my 

 own observations I should say that the species is met with 

 only occasionally^in fact, I have not seen more than two or 

 three specimens, and have not yet succeeded in securing one. 



305. (309) Hydrochelidon leucopareia leueopareia (Temm.). 

 The Whiskered Tern. 



Local name : Cirlewiva bil mustacci. 



Schembri says that, although this species is not common, 

 individuals are taken during the summer almost every year, 

 Wright, who considers it uncommon, states that it visits us 

 in spring, summer, and autumn ; he records a specimen in 

 his collection shot on the 16th of May, 18G0, and, in the 

 second appendix to his list, mentions others obtained in the 

 third week of May, 1865. 



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