SYLVIIN/E. 



77 



THE MELODIOUS WARBLER. 



Hypolais polyglotta (Vieillot). 



In 'The Zoologist' for July 1897 (p. 333), Mr. A. F. Ticehurst 

 stated that on April 30th, the same day as the Icterine Warbler 

 already mentioned (p. 75), a smaller bird was also obtained at Bur- 

 wash, Sussex, and he hinted that this might be the Melodious Warbler. 

 Mr. G. Bristow, of St. Leonard's, having obligingly sent up the bird 

 for identification, it has been examined by several ornithologists, 

 and there can be no doubt that it is an example — a male by dis- 

 section — of If. polyglotta. 



It is satisfactory to have the occurrence of this species thoroughly 

 authenticated, because the event has for some time been expected. 

 On May 26th 1886 the Rev. Allan Ellison saw and heard a bird 

 which probably belonged to this species in co. Wicklow, Ireland, 

 and during the very same month and year the Rev. M. A. Mathew 

 frequently watched and listened to a similar bird at Stone Hall, in 

 Pembrokeshire. In May 1897 (Zool. p. 332) Mr. Mathew Hstened 

 to the song of another bird (or two) in East Devon, but this he 

 identified as that of the Icterine Warbler, and he is to be con- 

 gratulated on his powers of discrimination. An egg, which, from its 

 small size and bright pink colour, belonged probably to the 



