THE BREEDING BIRDS OF MALTA. 171 



grass, feathers, rags, wool, and paper ; in fact, everything seems 

 good for this bird to add to the bulk of its nest. 



Both sexes are employed in the construction of the nest, 

 which is completed in a period varying from seven to twelve 

 days ; the same nest is usually used for a second, and sometimes 

 even a third brood during the same season. 



The eggs vary in number from four to six, five, however, 

 being the usual number ; their ground-colour varies from a pure 

 white to a dark-bluish or greenish-white, speckled over with 

 greyish- and blackish-brown spots and blotches ; some speci- 

 mens are covered all over with these blotches, while others are 

 found having no markings at all. 



Nidification lasts from the end of January to the end of 

 July or beginning of August, and so prolific are these birds that 

 as many as four broods are often reared in a season. In spite 

 of this, however, so persecuted are these birds that it has often 

 been felt that their temporary protection was desirable. 



In September the majority of these birds migrate, and return 

 by the beginning of March, so that the early breeders are certainly 

 those which have passed the Winter with us. 



I have seen a nest containing five unfledged birds during the 

 last week of October, 1915, a fact surely of very rare occurrence. 



16. Linnet. 

 Linota cannabina, Linn. — Giojjin. 



The Linnet is one of our most abundant birds of passage 

 during the Autumn ; by the middle of October the first arrivals 

 are noticed, and towards the beginning of November the country 

 is literally full of them. Both the clap- and the prohibited bat- 

 nets are now used to such an extent that the numbers of the 

 birds are quickly and greatly reduced, the poor Linnets being 

 taken and slaughtered by thousands. Thus when Spring arrives 

 only a few pairs are to be seen, and these generally nest, very 

 often to be robbed of their nestlings too. 



I have found the nest always in the carob-trees, though I have 

 been assured that it is sometimes built in the ivy and other 

 climbers. 



Both male and female are employed in the construction, 

 which they generally complete in about eight days. 



