Birds from Algeria. 185 



thai date it was common at II. Meskoutine and also at 

 II. R'Hira. 



Mr. J. II. Gurney, Jun.j has recorded its arrival in Algeria 

 on April 1st ('Ibis/ 1871, p. 300). 



Sylvia melanocepiiala (Gmel.). 



S ad., ? ad. Biskra, March 8 & 15. 



The Sardinian "Warbler was common in the districts that \vc 

 visited, and was evidently nesting at Ilammam R'Hira and 

 at Lcs Glacieres towards the end of April and beginning of 

 .May. The eoek bird is very fussy and worries the observer 

 with his incessant clamour. 



Sylvia atricapilla (L.). 

 ? ad. H. Meskoutine, March 24. 



The Blackcap was very common and in full song at 

 H. Meskoutine and H. R'Hira. 



Sylvia subalpina Bonclli. 



(J ad. Lcs Glacieres, May 22. 



The colour of the breast of the Subalpine Warbler varies 

 considerably. Much of this is due, no doubt, to seasonal 

 change, and some, perhaps, to individuality. But I am 

 inclined to think that specimens from Africa will be found 

 on examination of a good series to be heavily coloured 

 with chestnut on the under side, while birds from Europe 

 will be found to be more lightly coloured with pink. 



A few pairs of Subalpine Warblers were evidently breeding 

 in the scrub on the hill-sides about Les Glacieres and 

 H. R'Hira. 



Sylvia deserticola Tristr. 



? ad. Biskra, March 11. 



There were a few Tristram's Warblers at Biskra, but we saw 

 the birds nowhere else. They did not appear to be breeding 

 at Biskra up to the middle of March. Amongst other dis- 

 tinctions the wing-formula of this species is very different 

 from that of &'. subalpina. 



Melizophilus sardus (Marm.). 

 $ ad. Biskra, March 8. 

 There were a few Marmora's Warblers at Biskra amongst 



