174 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



also taking the sitting bird. I have often found eggs of the 

 Short-toed Lark even smaller than those of this species. 



The period of nidification lasts also from the end of April to 

 the end of July. 



20. Jackdaw. 



Corvus monedula, Linn. — Ciaula. 



It is said that in other countries few are the places where the 

 Jackdaw cannot find a home. Well, it must be said that in 

 Malta few are the places where it can find one, such is the 

 persecution the poor bird suffers all the year round, and during 

 the breeding season especially. 



The very limited number of birds which still remain nest in 

 the crevices of the inaccessible cliffs overhanging the sea towards 

 the south of the islands. A few years ago, however, these birds 

 could be found nesting in old steeples and towers, and even in 

 holes in the old battlements surrounding the towns. I remember 

 also the time when the Jackdaws could be seen on the roofs of 

 houses in the centre of Valletta. 



Both sexes take part in the construction of the nest, which 

 they complete in about a fortnight. 



This nest is a rough structure of straw, hay, and some 

 feathers, wool and hair being also found at times. 



The eggs vary in number from four to six ; in colour they 

 are of a pale greenish-blue, mottled over with light and dark 

 brown spots, some specimens very thickly, others only sparingly. 

 I have seen specimens very boldly blotched. 



Nidification lasts from the beginning of April to the beginning 

 of June, and only one brood appears to be reared during a 

 season. 



If speedy protection is not afforded to this bird I am afraid 

 that its extinction as a breeding species in Malta will be a ques- 

 tion of the very near future. 



21. Swift. 



Cypselus apus, Linn. — Eundun. 



The Swift, which is one of our commoner birds of passage, 

 and also a partial resident, may be also considered a pretty 



