ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MALTA. 257 



Stonechat. — Fairly common all over the island. 



Purple Heron. — Observed a specimen of the Purple Heron 

 on the ranges at Pembroke, April 16th, 1896; and subsequently 

 handled the same bird in the flesh an hour later. I am informed 

 it is of frequent occurrence on the island, principally during the 

 winter months. 



Jackdaw. — So far as my observations have gone this is the 

 only representative of the Crow family existing on the island, 

 and it appears to be confined to the localities of Citta Vecchia 

 and Musta. 



Montagu's Harrier. — Have seen a good many specimens 

 at Pembroke camp during the months of April and May. They 

 are common on migration. 



Black Redstart. — Observed a single specimen on April 

 30th, 1897 ; and handled a bird in the flesh the following day 

 which was shot near the shore at Manoel. 



Thrush.— Observed a Thrush in the moat at Port Reale, 

 November 1st, 1897. This is the first I have seen in Malta. 



Bee-eater. — On April 18th, 1898, Capt. Murray shot a male 

 specimen of the Bee-eater, which he kindly gave me. It is not 

 uncommon during the migratory season. 



Little Grebe. — Handled one of these birds which was shot 

 near the shore at Manoel, April 20th, 1898. 



Turtle Dove. — Abundant during April and May. 



Hoopoe. — Saw a specimen of the Hoopoe in the moat at Fort 

 Manoel. I was within twenty yards of it, and had an excellent 

 view of the bird. I am informed that it is not uncommon on the 

 island, although it is the only specimen I have seen. (September 

 6th, 1897.) 



Blackbird. — There is only one place to my knowledge which 

 these birds frequent in Malta, and that is at Musta, where they 

 nest on the bushes which grow out of the rocky sides of a deep 

 ravine. 



Kingfisher. —I have only seen one solitary specimen of 

 the Kingfisher here, and that in the early morning, near the 

 Quarantine Bridge at Manoel, November 10th, 1897. 



Shag or Green Cormorant. — Handled one of these birds 

 which was shot on the shore at Manoel, November 12th, 1897. 



Zool. 4th Ser. vol. III., June, 1899. s 



