( 505 ) 



lustily, on May 7, 1909, near Batna. This might have still been a migrant, its 

 testicles being small. On the other hand an adnlt female with largely swollen 

 eggs was shot at Hammam Meskoutine on May 24, in cnorraonsly high netth^s, 

 growing like reeds close together on tlie river bank. Altliongh we did not find the 

 nest, it lieing too early, there can be no doubt that tin's species was nesting there. 



Dr. Ansorge obtained a male in November in Angola, in wliicli the first 

 primary is 2 mm. longer than the primary-coverts, and a similar one has been 

 received from Italy, shot on September 1(1. It seems that //. Ictei-inc — at least 

 birds of the year — has the first primary longer in autnmn than in s])ring, and we 

 would call the attention of collectors to this phenomenon. 



75. Hypolais polyg'lotta (Vieill.). 



We fonnd this Warbler above Lambi'se on May 5, and fairly common at 

 Hammam R'hira and near Hammam Meskoutine during the second half of May. 

 Every specimen obtained is quite typical in the size of the first primary, shape 

 of wing, and length. The iris is brown, the feet pale brown or olive, toes more 

 olive, bill dark horn-lirown, lower mandible pale fleshy i)ink, inside of mouth 

 bright orange. 



We cannot regard either the " Mehidions " or the " Icterine Warbler " as " shy 

 and retiring in their habits," as Mr. Whitaker calls them. 



76. Hypolais pallida opaca I'ab. 



This large form was found not at all rare near Hammam Meskoutine dnring 

 the second half of May 1909. It was undoubtedly breeding there, though we 

 did not find a nest. As we only obtained males, which attract one from some 

 distance by their song, it may be supposed that the females were sitting on 

 their eggs. 



We also shot a male at Tonggourt on April 14, others at Biskra on April 25, 

 27, and 28. We take it that the Tonggonrt and Biskra specimens were still on 

 migration, though the dates of the latter are rather late. Probalily the jilace of 

 opaca is in these oases taken by reiseri. 



The iris of oprrca is dark brown, the gape light orange-yellow. Feet greyi.sh 

 brown to brownish lead-grey, toes darker and more grey. Upper mandible 

 light horn-brown, lower pale yellowish or wliitish to pale pink. 



We found the birds generally in tamarisks and tall nettles. The song is 

 less varied than that of the yellow species, somewhat monotonons and more 

 acrocephaline, but still at once recognisable as that of a TL/pohiis. 



Tt. Hypolais pallida reiseri Hilgert. 



Hypolais pallida, reiseri Hilgert, Fnlco, I'.lil.'^. p. 3 (Biskra) ; Ilartert, Viig. pal. Fauna i. p. 574. 



Probably this form has been mistaken for either " pallida " or opaca by 

 some naturalists, and will also be found in S. Tunisia. H. p. reiseri differs from 

 H. p. pallida by its much paler npperside, and generally longer first primary, from 

 H. p. opaca by its much smaller size and paler colour. 



We found //. p. reiseri at Biskra on April '20 and 'M, at Tonggonrt on 

 April 14, and at Mraier (half-way between Tonggonrt and Biskra) on April 18, 1909. 

 Its song is monotonous, like that of opaca, but very much weaker and thinner, and 

 can be easily distinguished. 



