200 Letters, Ajinouncements, ^c. 



resembles the Blackcap, but is more obtrusive^ and its song is to 

 be heard at all seasons. It is very partial to figs, grapes, &c., 

 and in winter eats the seeds of the " pepper-tree '^ of Gibraltar 

 (Schinus molle). This bird, is one of the (if I may use the 

 expression) dry warblers, requiring very little, if any, water, 

 living throughout the hot season in places where there is none. 

 The only other Sylviidse which regularly nest on the Eock are 

 Prati7icola rubicola and Dromolfsa leucura ; some seasons Sylvia 

 atricapilla and the next species also remain to breed : — 



4. Philomela luscinia, which has nested in the garden of 

 the senior naval officer, and in the "alameda" near thewater-tank. 

 The Nightingale is found in Southern Spain in great numbers 

 wherever there is wood and water ; in the " Cork-wood," you 

 may find any number of nests in May ; as a rule there are 

 young hatched by the 2]st. The earliest dates of arrival ob- 

 served by me were : — April 8th, 1868 ; April 2nd, 1869 ; April 

 7th, 1870; April 1, 1871. They do not sing for the first day 

 or two after arrival. 



I may here mention that the following species of Sylviidse nest 

 in the Cork- wood and vicinity of Gibraltar : — 



1. Ruticilla tithys. 



2. Erithacus rubecula. In great abundance. 



3. Saxicola aurita. 



4i. „ stapazina. 



5. Droniolcea leucura. 



6. Pratincola rubicola. 



7. Sylvia hortensis. Abundantly. 



8. „ atricapilla. In great numbers. 



9. „ melanocephala. In great numbers. 



10. ,, orphea. Not so numerously as 



11. „ cinerea, which nests commonly, as do 



12. „ conspicillata and 



13. Melizophilus provincialis, in dry scrub. 



14. Phyllupneuste sibilatrix. Not commonly. 



15. „ trochilus. Commonly. 



16. „ rufa. Some few nests. 



17. „ bonellii. Abundantly. 



