72 



NORTH AilERICAN lilRDS. 



The European warblers of the genus Phyllopneuste are all insect-eating 

 birds, capturing their ])rey while on the wing, and also feeding on their 

 larvpe. They frequent the woodlands during their breeding-season, but at 

 all other times are much more familiar, keeping about dwellings and sheep- 

 folds. 



The P. trochilu.s is a resident throughout the entire year in Southern 

 Europe and in Central Asia. That species builds at the foot of a bush on 

 the ground, and constructs a domed nest with the entrance on one side. 

 Their eggs are five in number, have a pinkish-wliite ground, and are spotted 

 with well-defined blotches of reddish-brown, measuring 0.65 by 0.50 inch, 

 and are of a rounded oval shape. 



SrBF,\Mii.v REGULIN-S:. 



Cn.\R. Winj^s longer than thu eniai-giiiated tail. Tarsi buotcfl, or without .<;cutellar 

 divisions. 



This subfamily embraces but a single well-delined North American 

 genus. 



Genus REQULUS, Cuv. 



llcrjulu.% Crv. " Lemons d'Aiiat. Comp. 1799, 1800." (Type Afotncilla regulus, Linn.) 

 Rcyuloides, Blyth. 1847. (T\'I>e " It. proregulus, Pall." Gr.\y.) 



PhylMm.iikit.% Cab. Mils, llein. I, 1850, 33. (Type Molacilla calendula, Linn.) — Cor- 

 ihylio, Cab. .Jour. Oni. I, 1853, 83. (Same type.) 



Gex. Char. Bill slender, mneh sliorter than the head, depressed at base, but becoming 



rapidly compressed ; moderately notched at tip. 

 Culmen straight to near the tip, then gently 

 curved. Commissure straight; gonys convex. 

 Rictus well provided with bristles ; nostril cov- 

 ered by a single bristly feather directed forwards 

 (not distinct in mlendnla'). Tarsi elongated, ex- 

 ceeding considerably the middle toe, and without 

 scutellas. Lateral toes about equal ; hind toe with 

 the claw, longer than the middle one by about 

 half the claw. Claws all much curved. Fii'st 

 primary about one third as long as tlie longest; 

 second equal to fifth or sixth. Tail shorter than the wings, moderately forked, the feath- 

 ers acuminate. Colors olive-green above, whitish beneath. Size very small. 



"We are unable to appreciate any such difference between the common 

 North American Bcgnli as to warrant Cabanis in establishing a sejiarate 

 genus for the calendula. The bristly feather over the nostril is perhaps less 

 compact and close, but it exists in a rudimentary condition. 



Itegvlus ^atTapa. 



