observed in the Islands of Malta and Gozo. 71 



resembling those of P. sylvicola), while in P. trochilus they are 

 much more sparsely spotted with very light chestnut. Again, 

 specific approximation may frequently be traced by the eggs, as 

 in the case of Cettia cetti, where its singular eggs seem to mark 

 its affinity to the Indian genus Prinia. 



In all the Maltese specimens I have examined, I have found 

 the length of the wing, from the carpus to the end of the longest 

 primary, to be about 5 millimetres longer in P. trochilus than 

 in P. bonellii. There is also a slight difference in the relative 

 length of the wing-feathers. 



125. HippOLAis iCTERiNA (Gcrbc, Eev. Zool. 1844, p. 440, 

 and 1846, p. 433; and Diet. d'Hist. Nat. 1848, xi. p. 237). 

 (Vieillot's Willow Warbler.) 



This species, which has been so often confounded with its 

 congener, H. "polyglotta, is a regular visitor in April, May, Sep- 

 tember, and October. Although never very numerous, it is far 

 from being rare. I have frequently met with it on the sheltered 

 sides of hills, among fig-trees, and obtained a good many speci- 

 mens at different times. Owing to its restless disposition, which 

 induces it to be constantly on the move, it is not easy to shoot; 

 yet it is not shy. Schembri, in his ' Catalogue of Maltese Birds,^ 

 gives H. polyglotta, which I have never seen here, instead of H. 

 icterina. There is no reason why that species should not also 

 be observed in Malta ; but it appears to me that he has probably 

 mistaken H. icterina for it, as the Prince of Canino, who examined 

 most of his specimens, has figured H. icterina, in the 'Fauna 

 Italica,' as H. polyglotta, and M. De Selys Longchamps made a 

 similar mistake in the 'Faune Beige,' in 1842. M. Gerbe has 

 since so clearly indicated the essential points of difference, that one 

 would think these birds could scarcely be again confounded. H. 

 icterina is found in Algeria and other parts of Barbary. I have 

 examined many specimens of it shot by myself, and others sent me 

 by Dr. L. Adams, and they all agree with M. Gerbe's diagnosis 

 in having the first primary longer than the fourth, and nearly 

 equal to the third, the second longest, and the wings in repose 

 reaching to about the middle of the tail. According to M. Gerbe, 

 the wing in H. polyglotta does not reach halfway to the tail, and 



