Family SYLVIIDAE. 

 (Plates 49—65). 



The genera Sylvia, Phylloscopus, Hypolais, Calamodus, Acroce- 

 phalus and Locustella form in respect of their oological relation 

 towards each other a heterogeneously composed Family. 



This heterogeneity exists not only among the genera, but — with 

 the exception of the genus Locustella — it is also found among 

 species, mutually, belonging to one genus. 



The genus Sylvia includes one species, 5. sylvia — so remark- 

 able from an oological point of view — , which through a few of 

 its several types has some points of contact with Acrocephalus- 

 species, namely with strepera and palustris. 



In the genus itself curruca, atricapilla and simplex further form 

 an oologically clearly specialized group. In curruca variations occur 

 which point to sylvia. 



The genus Phylloscopus, in which sibilatrix and collybita are more 

 closely allied oologically to each other than trochilus is to one of the 

 two first mentioned species, occupies an independent place in 

 respect of the other genera; when the colour is left out of consid- 

 eration, the nature of the markings of the coarsely spotted type of 

 trochilus might perhaps lead one to mistake it for a type of sylvia 

 resembling it. 



