List of Birds observed in Malta and Gozo. 463 



Charadrius virginiacus, Strickl. Ann. N. Hist. 2nd ser. vol. v. 

 p. 40 (nee virginicus, Borkhausen). 



I have to record the capture in Malta of a second specimen 

 of this denizen of Asia, which, always excepting that extraor- 

 dinary rendezvous for exotic and little-known species, Heligoland, 

 is the only spot in Europe in which it has hitherto been found. 

 This example was shot in May, 1861. It was consequently in 

 summer plumage ; and, before handling it, I mistook it for a 

 small specimen of Charadrius pluvialis in bad condition. It 

 was preserved by a Maltese bird- staffer, merely on account of 

 its being in a state of plumage not noticed before in this island, 

 the common Golden Plover, its close ally, being known here only 

 in its winter-dress. Through the kindness of Signor A. Zammit, 

 who became possessed of it, I have been enabled to examine 

 and compare it with Charadrius pluvialis. The following are 

 the dimensions of the two birds, from measurements taken 



by myself : — 



Length. Carpus to tip. Beak, Tarsus. 



Charadrius longijoes, 10 inches (about). 6f inches. 1 inch (about). If inch. 



Charadrius pluvialis, \0\ „ „ 7f „ ,, „ l-f ,, 



The legs and toes of Charadrius longipes are more slender, 

 and the general appearance is smaller. The head is considerably 

 smaller, and especially remarkable in being much narrower 

 across the top. 



258. Sterna anglica. (Gull-billed Tern.) 

 Three magnificent specimens in adult breeding-plumage were 

 killed in May 1864; and I have much pleasure in adding this 

 handsome species to the list of our feathered visitors. I may 

 here state that, in the third week of May of the present year 

 (1865), several beautiful specimens of Sterna leucoptera and 

 Sterna hyhrida were obtained at the head of the grand harbour. 

 I shot one of the latter in the Quarantine Creek. 



The following are some additional notes on birds already ob- 

 served in Malta : — 



Falco peregrinus (No. 16, Ibis, 1864, p. 47). On the 4th 

 May, 1864, I obtained one of these birds. It was not an adult, 

 being without the transverse markings. It seems to approach 

 Falco harharus in the ruddy colouring of the under surface. 



2 k2 



