seen on the passage from Malta to the Morea. 129 



ception, when two were seen in company. A few individuals 

 of this species were likewise seen within the last two or three 

 days. A couple were shot this afternoon. Throughout today 

 the Columba Turtur was observed coming from the south, and 

 generally singly : very few alighted. 



All the birds seen on migration bore right on in the course 

 they had come, whether they rested temporarily on the vessel 

 or otherwise. They all came from a southerly direction, 

 either due south, S.W. or S.E. The wind was moderate, the 

 weather fine and dry during the whole passage, so that all the 

 species we saw were in the ordinary course of migration, and 

 none driven to the ship by any stress of weather. 



Although not coming within the title of this communica- 

 tion, inasmuch as it had already taken up its summer quar- 

 ters, I shall here mention the Alpine Switt {Cypsehis melba), 

 which upon our entering the fine bay of Navarino on the 

 morning of the 28th, appeared in great numbers careering 

 high overhead. Of the Hirundines generally, it may be re- 

 marked, that from our arrival in France on the evening of the 

 1st of April, we did not see any of the species until the 9th, 

 when going down the Rhone from Lyons to Avignon. About 

 half-Avay betvreen these places several of the Cyp. melba were 

 seen flying over the river, and likewise at all suitable places 

 from where they first appeared until we reached Avignon. 

 Hirundo rustica and H. urbica were likewise seen several 

 times between Lyons and Avignon, but were nowhere nu- 

 merous. The first I saw of these species (but which of them 

 could not be determined from the distance) was a small flock 

 flying northwards, evidently on migration. All indeed which 

 were seen today were I think only temporarily here, and 

 would, after having got sufficient rest and food, move north- 

 w^ards. A very few Sand Martens {Hirundo 7'iparia) v/ere also 

 seen about the Rhone today. At Malta, on the l/th of April, 

 we first met with the Common Swift {Cypsehis nmrarius), 

 where, together with the three species of Hirundo just men- 

 tioned, numbers were flying low and in company, wherever 

 we walked about the island ; the day was very fine and warm : 

 all four species were about as numerous as in their most fa- 

 voui'ed haunts in the British Islands. 



On the 18th of April, when walking in the neighbourhood 

 of Valetta (Malta), six Little Plovers {Charadrius minoj') in a 

 flock alighted very near us apparently to rest, and after a 

 short time proceeded in their course, which was in a north- 

 west direction. 



Ann. ^ Mag. A'. Hist. Vol. viii. K 



