Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/283

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ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MALTA.
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Stonechat.—Fairly common all over the island.

Purple Heron.—Observed a specimen of the Purple Heron on the ranges at Pembroke, April 16th, 1896; and subsequently handled the same bird in the flesh an hour later. I am informed it is of frequent occurrence on the island, principally during the winter months.

Jackdaw.—So far as my observations have gone this is the only representative of the Crow family existing on the island, and it appears to be confined to the localities of Citta Vecchia and Musta.

Montagu's Harrier.—Have seen a good many specimens at Pembroke camp during the months of April and May. They are common on migration.

Black Redstart.—Observed a single specimen on April 30th, 1897; and handled a bird in the flesh the following day which was shot near the shore at Manoel.

Thrush.—Observed a Thrush in the moat at Port Reale, November 1st, 1897. This is the first I have seen in Malta.

Bee-eater.—On April 18th, 1898, Capt. Murray shot a male specimen of the Bee-eater, which he kindly gave me. It is not uncommon during the migratory season.

Little Grebe.—Handled one of these birds which was shot near the shore at Manoel, April 20th, 1898.

Turtle Dove.—Abundant during April and May.

Hoopoe.—Saw a specimen of the Hoopoe in the moat at Fort Manoel. I was within twenty yards of it, and had an excellent view of the bird. I am informed that it is not uncommon on the island, although it is the only specimen I have seen. (September 6th, 1897.)

Blackbird.—There is only one place to my knowledge which these birds frequent in Malta, and that is at Musta, where they nest on the bushes which grow out of the rocky sides of a deep ravine.

Kingfisher.—I have only seen one solitary specimen of the Kingfisher here, and that in the early morning, near the Quarantine Bridge at Manoel, November 10th, 1897.

Shag or Green Cormorant.—Handled one of these birds which was shot on the shore at Manoel, November 12th, 1897.

Zool. 4th Ser. vol. III., June, 1899.
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