A checklist to the quaternary avifauna of the Maltese islands preliminary note

Abstract

The Maltese Quaternary fauna is more or less well documented, with most works concentrating mainly on the pachyderms, ungulates and micro-mammals. Less known is the variable amount of avian remains unearthed from various sites. The only avian species which has to some extent been studied in detail are Cygnus falconeri and Grus melitensis. The other 44 species or genera which have been discovered and identified are less documented. Of these, no less than six species were endemic to Malta and/or the Mediterranean region. The Maltese Quaternary avifauna has been previously documented by Parker (1865, 1869), Adams (1866, 1867, 1870), Spratt (1867), Lydekker (1890, 1891), Bate (1916), Caton Thompson (1923), Despott (1924-25, 1926- 27, 1928-29), Fischer & Stephan (1974), Northcote (1982a, 1982b, 1981-83, 1984, 1984-85, 1988) and Weesie (1987).