254 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



OKNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FHOM MALTA. 



By Sergeant Hugh Mackay 



(Highland Light Infantry). 



During my stay in Malta I visited Mr. Micallef s interesting 

 establishment at Birchircara, with a view of obtaining informa- 

 tion regarding the numerous migratory birds which at times 

 pass over the island. In a large show case of beautifully 

 mounted specimens, I was prepared to find a number of birds 

 which, although not altogether unknown in the British Islands, 

 are nevertheless rare, and even here in Malta may be considered 

 scarce, being only obtainable on migration. Altogether I saw no 

 birds entirely foreign to the British Islands, yet for the benefit 

 of the ornithological student the undermentioned species are 

 well worth attention, if only for comparison with the numerous 

 works on this interesting subject. I have not specified the 

 scientific names of these birds, for the sake of space, while they 

 are perhaps better generally known under their commoner names. 



Ducks. — Garganey, Teal, Pochard, Pintail, Tufted, Scaup, 

 Shoveller. These birds are obtained here during the winter 

 months. 



Herons. — Common, Purple, Squacco, and Night Herons ; 

 fairly common on migration. 



Grebes. — Little Grebe, Sclavonian, and Black-necked. Of 

 the three mentioned the Sclavonian is the most common, several 

 specimens annually frequenting the Sliema and Quarantine 

 harbours and other suitable localities between the months of 

 October and January. 



Owls. — Barn Owl, Long-eared, Short-eared, and Scops. All 

 obtainable on migration ; while the Short-eared species is known 

 to breed sparingly on the island, and is therefore classed as a 

 resident species. 



I have enumerated under different headings the species which 

 predominate ; but as the remainder are isolated more or less 



