OBNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MALTA. 255 



from their families, it would occupy too much space to in- 

 dividualise each species under separate headings, therefore I 

 will only comment upon those deserving note at the conclusion 

 of the following list. 



Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Starling, Glossy 

 Ibis, Common Cuckoo, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Kingfisher, 

 Black Redstart, Common Redstart, Pratincole, Great Grey 

 Shrike (Lanius excubitor : I mention the scientific name of this 

 bird to distinguish it from others of the same family), Common 

 Bittern, Crane, Storm Petrel, Nightjar, Razorbill, Blue-headed 

 Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Turtle Dove, and Quail. All these 

 birds have been obtained by Mr. Micallef, principally during the 

 spring and autumn migrations. He pointed out to me several 

 immature specimens of the Razorbill ; adding that in one winter 

 he secured thirty-four of these birds, all being young birds of 

 the year. 



At home I have had occasion to note and comment upon the 

 irregular visits of the Razorbill, particularly along the shores of 

 the Solway, where in some winters immature birds are extremely 

 abundant, adult specimens being rarely found among them ; while 

 other winters pass without the appearance of a single specimen. 



Three specimens of the Quail were also shown to me, one 

 being plentifully suffused with bright yellow, the remaining two 

 being of a dark reddish-brown colour, similar to that of the Red 

 Grouse. In Malta, where Quails are so abundant on migration, 

 it is not surprising to find some slight variation in size or 

 colouring of plumage occurring. 



Mr. Micallef has in his possession two specimens of the 

 Nightjar, which at once attract the attention of an ornitho- 

 logist. This is the species known as the Red-necked Night- 

 jar, a species distinct from the common or Egyptian forms, and 

 very rare. 



The Whooper Swan is unquestionably of rare occurrence in 

 Malta, being essentially an inhabitant of the far north ; yet 

 four specimens were shot on the Marsa during the month of 

 March, 1898. 



The Common Starling is known to almost everyone ; but 

 Mr. Micallef pointed out a specimen totally devoid of those 

 markings so conspicuous on the British bird. This is the 



