SYLVIID^E — THE SYLVIAS. ^ 71 



across the wing. Bill rather dark brown ; paler beneath. Legs dark olive ; toes not sen- 

 sibly different. Nest probably on ground, and domed. Eggs white, spotted with pink. 



Spurious quill in length about one fourth the second, which about equals the sixth, or 

 very slightly exceeds it ; third and fourth longest; fifth a little shorter. 



Dimensions (fresh specimen before being skinned): total length, 4.75; expanse of 

 wings, 6.00 ; wing from carpal joint, 2.50. 



Dimensions (prepared specimen) : total length, 4.60 ; wing, 2.40 ; tail, 2.00. Exposed 

 portion of first primary, 0.42 ; of second, 1.56 ; of longest (measured from exposed base 

 of first primary), L85. Bill: length from above, 0.38; from nostril, 0.29; along gape, 

 1.55. Legs: tarsus, 0.66; middle toe and claw, 0.55; claw alone, 0.16; hind toe and 

 claw, 0.36 ; claw alone, 0.20. 



Hab. Northeast Asia (China, East Siberia) ; adjacent to Behring's Straits and Alaska. 



This species, in general appearance, apparently conies nearer to P. trochilus 

 tlian to any other of its congeners. It is, however, more olivaceous-green 

 above, and more yellow beneath, and has a distinct Ijand across the wing. 

 The superciliary light stripe is more distinct and longer ; the bill and legs 

 are darker, and the toes not sensibly different in color from the tarsus. The 

 proportion of the quills is mucli the same, except that the interval between 

 the tips of the fifth and sixth quills is greater, and the second is almost inap- 

 preciably longer than the latter, not reaching nearly midway between the 

 two. The first or spurious quill is rather shorter. 



A single specimen of this species was ol)tained August 16, 1866, on St. 

 Michael's Island, in Norton Sound, Alaska, by Mr. Charles Pease. Mr. 

 Bannister met with no other specimen in that locality, and from this it is 

 inferred that this is not an abundant species there. It was described as a 

 new species under the name of P. kennicottU (Baird), but has been ascer- 

 tained by Mr. Tristram, to whom it was sent for examination, (Ibis, 1871, 

 p. 231,) to be identical with P. horcalis of Blasius. 



Dr. Blasius also states (Naumannia, 1858, p. 303) that a specimen of this 

 species has been obtained on the island of Heligoland, showing it to be also 

 an accidental visitant to Western Europe. 



Habits. Mr. E. Swinhoe, who describes this among the birds of Formosa 

 as P. sylvicultrix, states it to be a summer visitant to Southern China, passing 

 in large numbers through Amoy in its autumnal migrations southeastward, 

 probably to the Philippine Islands, touching at Southwestern Formosa and 

 Twaiwanfoo, where he found them abundant. This was for a few days in 

 October, but he neither saw any before nor afterwards, nor did he meet with 

 any at Tamsuy (Ibis, 1863, p. 307). Tlie same writer (Ibis, 1860, p. 53) 

 speaks of this bird as very abundant in Amoy during the months of April 

 and May, but passing farther noi'th to breed. 



We have no information in reference to its habits, and notliing fartlier in 

 regard to its distribution. As it bears a very close resemblance to the Wil- 

 low Wren of Europe, P. trochiluf^, it is quite probable that its general habits, 

 nest, and eggs will be found to correspond very closely with tliose of that 

 bird. 



