ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT FOR MALTA. 447 



Bock-Thrushes, 6 Larks, 3 Bedshanks, 3 Marsh-Harriers, 

 5 Montagu's Harriers, 4 Moorhens, 4 Spotted Crakes, 1 Short- 

 eared Owl, 8 Scops Owls, 1 Bittern, 1 Purple Heron, 17 Spanish 

 Sparrows, 75 Quails, 12 Song-Thrushes, 2 Binged Plovers, 

 2 Stone-Curlews, 2 Kestrels, and 1 Lesser Kestrel. 



28th. — A light southerly wind. Turtle Doves were noted for 

 the first time in the season ; we had also a good passage of 

 Scops Owls, Hoopoes, and Bock-Thrushes. A Whimbrel was 

 killed at Melliha. 



30th. — A light wind from the S.E. brought over a fairly good 

 number of Goldfinches, some of which were taken in the clap- 

 nets by the bird-catchers of Binghisa and Zurrico. 



April. 



1st. — At the Valletta Market I found one Short-eared and 

 five Scops Owls, two Cream-coloured Coursers, and an Egyptian 

 Nightjar ; I could not find out where this last was taken. I 

 know, however, that it had been taken the day before. 



2nd. — Four clutches (three eggs each) of the Southern 

 Herring-Gull were brought over to the market ; these I bought, 

 and found that only one was slightly incubated, the remaining 

 "three being perfectly fresh. 



3rd. — The birds brought into the market this day "were 

 the following : 202 Quails, 1 Binged Plover, 1 Wryneck, 2 Green 

 Sandpipers, 2 Buffs, 1 Pipit, 1 Dotterel, 1 Harrier, 7 Hoopoes, 

 1 Sparrow, 11 Scops Owls, and 1 Nightjar. 



4th. — A very light wind, varying from E. to S. ; we had a 

 very plentiful passage of several species of Harriers and Hawks, 

 amongst which great havoc was made by sportsmen. 



5th.— A moderate E.S.E. wind; we had a good passage of 

 Purple and Night Herons. The carob-trees were said to be full 

 of Scops Owls to-day, and the so-called sportsman is said to have 

 enjoyed himself much with the birds. 



6th. — A strong wind from the E.S.E. ; we had more than 

 1 inch of rain. This brought over to us a great number of 

 JSfight and Purple Herons, many Hoopoes, Scops Owls, Harriers, 

 Nightjars, Wrynecks, and Cuckoos ; also a few Turtle-Doves, 

 Wheatears, and Boilers. 



7th. — I noted the following birds in the Valletta Market : 



