42 



three in number, viz., the Common, Rufous, and 

 Great varieties. The Reed, Savins, Moustached, and 

 Eiver Warblers are all catalogued by Mr. Wright. 

 The Hoopoe which is said to breed in great num- 

 bers in Tripoli, the Roller, a bird which occasionally 

 makes a nest in some ruin, and which English- 

 men sometimes call "the Blue Jay," and the two 

 Bee-eaters, which are shot by the score at one dis- 

 charge, are amongst the most beautiful of our fea- 

 thered visitants. 



It is said that the Kingfisher sometimes breeds 

 here, but the Wood and Stock Pigeons do not. The 

 Rock Pigeon rears its young in considerable num- 

 bers on the southern shores of the islands, and also 

 at Filfla. The Turtle Dove, strong on the wing, 

 is caught in large numbers in platform nets by 

 the aid of the hooded decoy birds. For a full ac- 

 count of this sport see Mr. Wright's list before 

 referred to. Dove catching is a thoroughly clerical 

 amusement in Malta, The natives are good marks- 

 men, and are very skilful in luring birds by imita- 

 tions of their notes. The Pintail Sandgrouse comes 

 now and then, and the Quail is the principal game 

 of the sportsmen of Malta. Fifty or sixty brace 

 may be shot in a day, but ten or fifteen brace 

 are ordinarily a very good bag. Some quail are also 

 caught by imitating the call-note of the female, and 

 so drawing the males, which are the first to arrive, 

 into nets spread on the standing corn. 



