to the Cape Verde Islands. 83 



Total length. Culmeii. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. 



Sao Nicolau : in. in. in. in. in. 



Ad. J 6-13 0'8 2'6 2-65 1-1 



Ribeira, Santiago : 



Ad. $ 5-9 0-75 2-4 2-4 1-0 



Although sparsely distributed, a few pairs of this Warbler 

 may be met with in nearly every valley where there is plenty 

 of growth in the form of orange-groves and coffee- and sugar- 

 plantations. We found it most numerous at La Catrina, 

 where there is a series of running streams flowing along the 

 large dried-up watercourse of the fertile valley and bordering 

 thick beds of the sugar- and fish-cane. A spot like this seems 

 a favourite resort. 



Of a retiring nature, it is difficult to catch a glimpse of 

 this bird; for it is far more often heard than seen, as it 

 threads its way through the thickest part of a sugar-cane 

 plantation. Allowing of a near approach, it mocks the 

 listener by pouring out from its cool recess some exquisitely 

 melodious notes that might be rendered by the syllables, 

 " chou-chou-chou," " keeup-keeup-heeup," " kirreap.'^ The 

 first three are uttered with marked deliberation and followed 

 by a pause, after which the remaining notes are given out 

 in quick succession and in a higher key, a pretty, mellow 

 trill being given to the last one. This song may be heard 

 throughout the day, but is often very spasmodic in its ren- 

 dering, becoming far more frequent, however, during the 

 early morning and evening. The bird also has an alarm - 

 note, a harsh, croaking " cMirr," while its flight is strong and 

 resembles closely that of the Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus 

 streperus) . 



From February up to the first part of April the bird 

 undergoes its spring moult, while breeding commences in 

 August. The nest, composed of dry grass, is of a deep cup- 

 shaped form, and is generally to be found built between two 

 or three stems of the sugar-cane, and about five or six feet 

 above the ground. 



11. Passer salicicola Vieill. 



The Spanish Sparrow frequents nearly every valley. We 



g2 



