122 The Grasshopper Warbler. 



1856, when these birds appeared hei'e in unprecedented numbers, another species 

 from Eastern Asia was taken — viz. Sylvia certliiola. Again, during September, 1876, 

 when several individuals of 5. aquatica were seen and shot here, a ver}^ strong 

 migration of eastern species took place. Thus, on the 4th, 6th, and 15th, and 

 dail}' from the last date to the end of the month, Anthiis richardi occurred in 

 numbers from five to twent}' ; on the 22nd two examples of Antlius cenjiuus and 

 one of Jllotacil/a citreola ; on the 25th two examples of 5. aqualica were shot, and 

 one example each day of 5. superciliosa on the 26th, 29th, and 30th. Similar 

 occurrences were repeated in the course of October." 



Herr Mathias Rausch, in his article on European Song-birds, mentions this 

 species with others, as " not prominent as singers, and for that reason not 

 particularly beloved and in demand as cage-birds." At the same time, it must 

 be remembered that numbers of little tropical birds, in no respect remarkable for 

 song, and certainly no more beautiful in colouring than the Aquatic Warbler, are 

 to be found in almost all bird- rooms : moreover somewhat high prices are paid 

 for the species of White- eyes (Zosterops) and their only recommendations are their 

 pretty quiet colouring and graceful activity. 



Family— TURDID.^. Sud/auiiiy—Si 'L I 'IL\ \ E. 



The (iRASSiiorPKR Warhler. 



Lociis/cl/ii tiaviii, BoDD. 



NOWHERE common, though in suitable localities not so rare as its shy 

 disposition would lead one to imagine, this species appears to be generally 

 distributed over Western Europe, and eastward as far as Transylvania, 

 and South-western Russia ; northwards its range extends to St. Petersburg. In 

 Italj' it is rare; but in Spain, only in the summer; it is believed to winter in 

 Morocco and Algeria. 



