( 5on ) 



That reiseri breeds at Biskrn appears to be ceifain. as it was found there as 

 late as May 5 (1882) by Jlr. H. J. Elwes, but was at that time mistaken for 

 //. ]j. pallida. As we have said under //. p. npnca, we take it that relst-ri replaces 

 opaca in the oases south of the Atlas Mountains during the breeding season, until 

 the contrary is proved. 



All the rri-seri, five specimens altogether, we fi)und were either seen among 

 the tamarisk bushes or, at Biskra, in the so-called mimosas. The wings of our 

 six skins, all males, measure : 04 — 67 mm. 



(We heard the song of this or another Ihjpolais at Ghardaia, on 

 April 22, but did not obtain the bird, which seemed to be rather grey in 

 appearance.) 



78. Sylvia hortensis hortensis (Om.). 



{Sylvia orphea olim.) 

 Breeds undoubtedly near Algiers and Batna, where we obtained specimens 

 in May, and we also shot one near Biskra, April T, which was probably on 

 migration. Iris pale sulphur-yellow, feet slate-grey or horn-grey, bill dark slate, 

 base of lower mandible bluish grey. Probably numbers winter in Algeria, as we 

 saw several as early as January 22 at Algiers. 



79. Sylvia borin borin (Bodd.). 



{Sylvia /lorteiisi.s anct. mult, errore !) 



We only came across the " Garden Warbler " in two places. We shot a male 

 east of Touggonrt, in the desert, on April 4, and found it on its breeding-ground at 

 Hammam Meskoutine, where it was frequenting the gardens and olive-trees. 



We have compared two pairs we collected at the latter place, and cannot find 

 any ditference from European birds. 



80. Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla (L.) 



Breeds commonly in North Algeria, migrates through the country in the 

 early spring, and evidently winters there, as we found it common near Algiers 

 town as early as January 22. It was then in full song. Possibly it only breeds 

 in the northernmost parts, and the birds we saw in January and February are 

 resident in the place. 



Clutches of eggs, containing 3 and 4, mostly more or less incubated, were found 

 near Algiers and Hamman R'hira from May 13 to 27, lUll. 



81. Sylvia communis communis Lath. 



In March and April not rare near Biskra and in the oases between Biskra and 

 Touggourt, but all these birds were apparently on passage. 



This Warliler nests in North Algeria. It was commonly breeding near 

 Hammam R'hira, and a clutch of 6 hard-set eggs was taken May 111, ItHl. It was 

 several times observed near Hammam Meskoutine, and a male was shot near Lake 

 Fetzara, May 21, 1909, where it was also undoubtedly breeding. The N.W. African 

 birds do not seem to differ in any way from European ones. 



Mr. Riggeubach sent some skins from the S.W. Atlas in Morocco and from 

 Mazagau, but they are probably all migrants, not breeding birds. 



