518 Mr. G. Despott on the [Ibis, 



313. (320) Larus minutus Pall. The Little Gull. 

 Local uame : Gawwja zghira, 



Schembri considered this species rather common, stating 

 that it occurs here from September to November. Wright, 

 too, says tliat it is common in some years, and states that 

 in a few hours he succeeded in shooting as many as nine 

 or ten, while lie could have shot more. At present the 

 species is unquestionably of very rare occurrence — in fact, 

 I have not yet succeeded in observing a single example. 



314. (317) Lams ridibundns L. The Black-beaded 

 Gull. 



Local name : Gawwja rasha sewda seconda. 



Schembri says that this species is common during the 

 winter, and Wright states that it associates with L. melano- 

 cephalus, but is by no means so common. I have been 

 assured by many that it is met with annually during 

 the winter. But I must confess that though I have 

 looked for it most carefully, I have not yet succeeded in 

 detecting it. 



315. (318) Larus melanocephalus Temm. The Mediter- 

 ranean Black-headed Gull. 



Local name : Gaioivja rasha sewda. 



This is the common Gull of Malta. It is to be seen 

 in pretty large numbers in our harbours. The local name 

 appears in Giglioli^s avifauna, and, although this indicates 

 the black head of the species, I have very rarely met with it 

 when it has assumed that dress. 



316. (319) Larus ichthyaetus Pall. The Great Black- 

 headed Gull. 



Local name : Gaivivja imperiali. 



Giglioli says that Wright included this species amongst 

 the Birds of Malta on the authority of Tristram, but there 

 were doubts about its occurrence, for the specimen could not 

 be traced. On the 11th of March, 1909, I saw a specimen 

 which Mr. Micallef asked me to identify ; it was taken on 



