ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR MALTA. 445 



25th. — Two Song-Thruslies, five Quails, one Dotterel, and 

 two Plovers were the only birds brought into the market. The 

 wind to-day blew moderately from the N.N.W., and we had a 

 little rain. Some Harriers came over against the wind ; we had 

 also some Song-Thrushes. Mr. Gera reported to me that he 

 had received a Cream-coloured Courser which was taken at the 

 Marsa. 



26th — The wind the same both in force and direction; a 

 shower eveiy now and then. Some Dotterels, Plovers, and 

 Song-Thrushes were observed. A Teal was killed at the fish- 

 ponds at Marsa Scala, and two Jack Snipes at the Marsa. 



27th. — A fresh north wind and a little rain. Spotted Crakes, 

 Snipes, Golden Plovers, and Dotterels were observed in fairly 

 good numbers, some being also taken. 



29th. — A. few Hoopoes arrived, and a few were also taken ; 

 we had also some Plovers, Piaffs, and an occasional Redshank. 



March. 



1st. — A moderate south-westerly wind. Some Snipes and 

 Song- Thrushes ; also three Redshanks, of which one was taken. 

 A Bittern was sent to me from the market ; this had been shot 

 the day before on Gozo. 



3rd. — I found in the market a melanic form of the Common 

 Bunting and two Quails, one of which had a fully-developed egg. 



6th. — A Black Redstart was sent to me from the market. 

 The wind to-day blew moderately from the S.W. Some Hoopoes 

 and Song-Thrushes were seen, and a few taken ; there appeared 

 also an occasional Spotted Crake and a few Rufis. The Wry- 

 neck's note was often heard. In the afternoon a few Lapwings 

 came over from the N.W., the wind at this time having changed 

 to a light S.E. 



12th. — A fresh wind blew from the south. I observed a 

 Chaffinch, some Greenfinches, some Starlings, two Hoopoes, 

 some Song-Thrushes, many Larks, Titlarks, and Green Sand- 

 pipers. Towards sunset three Plovers came from a north- 

 westerly direction. 



14th. — An Egyptian Nightjar and a Whimbrel were sent to 

 me from the market ; the Nightjar was shot the day before at 

 Binghisa by a sportsman from Zurrico. In the market L 





