THE BREEDING BIRDS OF MALTA. 179 



constant breeders; it seems, however, to breed more commonly 

 in Gozo than in Malta. 



The site of the nest is generally a crag or a shelf of the cliffs 

 overhanging the sea, the material used consisting of sticks and 

 seaweeds ; the nest is sometimes very bulky, but always roughly 

 and loosely constructed. 



The eggs, from two to three in number, are of a yellowish 

 clay-colour, blotched with olive and several shades of brown ; in 

 some specimens the markings are very bold, thus giving the egg 

 a very beautiful appearance. 



Nidification generally takes place from March to May, and 

 only one brood seems to be reared in a season. 



The young in down are often taken and exposed for sale on 

 the square opposite St. John's Cathedral ; being very susceptible 

 of domestication they are often kept as pets, and can be seen 

 strolling about the streets. One or two are often to be seen also 

 in our public gardens. 



(This is, of course, the Larus argentatus reported in Wright's 

 catalogue.) 



30. Storm-Petrel. 



Procellaria pelagica, Linn. — Cangiu ta Filfla. 



This is a rather abundant species, and, being also resident, 

 it is to be considered common as a breeder too. Though it is 

 stated to be found only on Filfola (hence its Maltese name), I 

 have no hesitation in saying it is to be met with all around the 

 Maltese islands. Its true breeding station, however, is really the 

 islet of Filfola ; there it lays its single egg in the deep crevices of 

 the rocks, or under the large stones, whence it is very difficult to 

 get it. 



The egg is white, smooth, and without any gloss, sometimes 

 spotted over with minute reddish spots, which are generally 

 more confluent about the thicker end, where they often form a 

 zone. 



Sometimes two birds or more select the same crevice in which 

 to lay each its single egg ; this fact has led some observers to 

 think that this petrel lays more than one egg. 



Very little or often no material at all is used, and the egg is 

 simply laid on the bare earth. 



