THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 285 



coloured Reed Warbler in autumn plumage — the olivaceous rust 

 colour (Oliven-Rostfarbe) on the sides of the breast, the flanks, and 

 the under tail-covcrts was, however, much more intense and fresh 

 than is found in the latter species, while its very prominent eye- 

 streaks, as well as the scapular portions of the wings, were also of 

 rust colour. On no part of its body did the bird display the least 

 trace of the lemon-yellow colour so frequently repeated in this 

 group, and which one even meets with on the scapular portions of 

 the wings and the under tail-coverts of S. tristis — a sj^ecies whose 

 general plumage is otherwise of a brownish grey. The bird here 

 referred to is strikingly distinguished from the latter species, which 

 I have observed here, if only momentarily, at least six times, by 

 the much fresher coloration of its plumage, and also by a quite 

 different call-note ; and I at once recognised it as the eastern Sylvia 

 fxiscata. Unfortunately, in spite of all attempts, I found it im- 

 possible to get a free shot at it, because on the other side of my 

 neighbour's garden is a long thorn-hedge with houses behind it ; 

 all 1 could do was to observe it for about ten minutes at distances 

 of from two to twenty paces; after which, this much-coveted 

 example Hew ofif into the hedge above referred to, and was not to 

 be found again. This, by the way, was the same hedge in which 

 my son Ludwig shot the examj^le of Sylvia nitida which now 

 adorns my collection. 



According to Jerdon, this Warbler winters in India; and 

 examples of it have been sent by Dybowsky and other observers 

 from the Baikal region; its breeding range, therefore, probably 

 extends from the middle Obi and upper Irtisch into eastern Asia. 



All the Warblers hitherto discussed are distinguished from 

 those which follow by the absence of the banded markings on the 

 wings, which are peculiar to the preponderating number of the 

 Asiatic forms, these bands or bars being formed by the strikingly 

 light-coloured tips of the largest and next largest wing-coverts. 

 These species differ from one another in the tone of their common 

 coloration to a sufficient extent to enable us to recognise them at 

 once with ease ; another very good mark of distinction is furnished, 

 however, by the measurements of the great flight-feathers, which 

 substantially are as follows : — 



S. sibilatri.c. — The second flight-feather longer than the fifth; 

 the third and fourth constitute the tip of the wing. 



(S'. bondlii. — Second flight-feather of the same length as the 

 sixth ; the third, fourth, and the slightly shorter fifth, form the tip 

 of the wing. 



S. trocliilus. — Second flight-feather shorter than the fifth; 

 third and fourth forming tip of wing. 



