THE BREEDING BIRDS OF MALTA. 175 



frequent breeder. If one can judge by the great number of 

 birds which during the breeding- season are seen flying about 

 the southern cliffs, and entering their crevices at intervals, it 

 must be said that the Swift is one of our more common 

 breeders. 



The only nest I ever procured was taken from a crevice in 

 the precipitous cliffs close to Ghar-Hassan (Hassan's Cave) in 

 May, 1909. It was composed of straw, hay, feathers, and 

 some cotton ; I cannot say what its shape was like, as it was 

 brought out in pieces. 



Both sexes take part in the construction, which, I have been 

 assured, is sometimes completed in so short a time as four days ; 

 sometimes, however, so long as ten or eleven days are taken to 

 complete it. 



The eggs, two in number, and very conspicuously elongated, 

 were of a dirty white, seemingly spotted ; these spots were, how- 

 ever, easily removed by means of a little rubbing. 



22. Short-eared Owl. 



Asio accipitrinus, Pall. — Omm-is-subien. 



This Owl is one of our common visitors during both seasons ; 

 its nesting here, however, must be considered an event of very 

 rare occurrence, though it has also been recorded as a breeder 

 both by Schembri and Wright. 



The first time I saw a nest was on May 4th, 1906 ; it 

 contained five young, and was found in the vicinity of Siggiewi 

 in a depression of the soil under a tree. On May 18th I found 

 another among the low grass at the bottom of "Wied Znuber. 

 It contained three eggs, which were of a pure white colour, 

 having a very faint gloss ; in size they were a little larger than 

 Pigeons' eggs, and more spherical in shape. 



. 23. Barn-Owl. 



Aluco flammeus, Linn. — Barbagianni. 



Though by no means common, this Owl being sedentary, one 

 or two of its nests are found nearly every year ; unhappily, 

 however, it is being most rapidly exterminated, and I am 



