372 SYLViin.E. 



fluent, but sometimes few in number and well defined, 

 shewing the light ground, which in such cases is often also 

 spotted with light brown : a few black spots are also some- 

 times present. The eggs measure from '11 to "68 by from 

 •57 to '49 in., an exceptionally small one only -58 by "45 in. 

 The young are hatched in July, and quit the nest very soon, 

 hanging and climbing with perfect security among the reeds 

 by their very sharp claws. In some districts this species is 

 the most common victim of the Cuckow's parasitical habit. 



The Reed-Warbler is found in the west and south of 

 Sweden, according to Prof. Sundevall ; it is common in 

 Denmark, Germany and Southern Russia*. De Filippi 

 noticed it at Helenowko, and Dr. Kriiper is said to have 

 met with it in Asia Minor f. In Palestine, where it appears 

 to be an early spring-migrant. Canon Tristram says it is 

 very common. It occurs, according to Dr. von Heuglin, in 

 Arabia, Nubia and Egypt as a winter- visitant. It is said 

 by Loche to breed in Algeria, but the English ornithologists 

 who have explored that country do not seem to have met 

 with it at all. Mr. Saunders obtained it in Southern Spain 

 both in winter and spring, and believes it breeds there, 

 while Prof, du Bocage says that it is found frequently in 

 Portugal. Throughout the rest of Europe it occurs in suit- 

 able localities. 



The bill is longer than that of the other four birds of this 

 group to be presently described, and rather broader at the 

 base, the upper mandible dark horn-colour, the lower light 

 and inclining to yellow at the base ; the irides light yel- 

 lowish-brown : a line of pale buff from the nostrils over 

 each . eye ; head, neck and all the body above, nearly uni- 

 form pale brown Avith a tinge of chestnut, particularly on 

 the rump ; the quills dusky, but edged outwardly with the 



* A uearly allied, if indeed distinct, species has been described, under the 

 name of Sylvia nuif/nirostris, by Prof. Lilljeborg from Northern Russia. The 

 Editor has not seen a specimen, but it seems iis if it might possLliIy be identical 

 with Ilerr Malm's Calamoherpe media, obtained near Gottenburg. 



t In India, our Reed-Warbler is represented by Atrocephalas dumetoraia, 

 which Mr. Blyth maintains, and as it would seem with reason, to be distinct, 

 though some authors regard the two as identical. 



