ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR MALTESE ISLANDS. 383 



some Turtle-Doves and Wagtails ; the majority of these were 

 taken in the clap-nets. 



11th. — A perfect calm, so much so that I could not mark the 

 direction of the wind ; the birds seen consisted of some Quails, 

 several Dotterels, Wagtails, and Terns. Many Wagtails were 

 taken, especially towards noon. I noted two Curlews passing 

 over to the S.W. and two Hoopoes, which came in from the east. 

 During the afternoon, passing through Wied Zembak, I flushed 

 three Nightjars and one Purple Heron. We had a shower to-day. 



12th. — A light wind from the N.N.W. Only some Wagtails 

 and Quails ; to-day also we had a very small shower. 



13th. — Wind continued from the same direction, but blowing 

 moderately ; two Eedshanks came over with the wind. Heard 

 the shrill note of the Wryneck. 



14th. — The same wind. Many Wagtails came in, amongst 

 which great havoc was wrought both by fowlers and the so-called 

 sportsmen. One of these killed thirty-four of them in a single 

 shot, from the canes at the bottom of Wied Zembak (Wagtails 

 and Starlings seem to be particularly attracted to the canes in 

 this locality). 



15th. — A perfect calm. Buzzards passed in fairly good 

 numbers all the day long, but towards the evening especially. 

 Some were also taken ; I procured one specimen, which I stuffed. 



16th. — Almost calm ; only a few Wagtails. 



20th. — Perfect calm ; two Skylarks, apparently the first 

 arrivals. 



24th. — A light wind blew from the east. I observed a few 

 Skylarks, amongst which there were also a few Calandra Larks. 



25th. — Wind blowing moderately from the E.S.E. A Wood- 

 cock was shot at Wied il Koton ; this seems to be an exception- 

 tionally early date for the occurrence of the Woodcock in Malta. 



28th. — A fresh wind from the N.N.W. ; a solitary Starling 

 came in from the sea. 



29th. — A light wind from the N.W. A few Skylarks and 

 some Finches ; also some Titlarks and a few Tawny Pipits. 



October. 



4th. — A perfect calm. Greenfinches arrived in fairly good 

 numbers, so many, in fact, that netters began to look forward to 



