CYANECULA WOLFI 69 



by no means common, is the form which is most frequently met 

 with in the Kegency and generally throughout North-west Africa. 

 Between the two species there is apparently no difference in structure, 

 and the only difference in plumage is the colour of the spot in the 

 centre of the blue throat-patch, and were it not that the two forms 

 seem to have very distinct breeding areas, one might hesitate to 

 separate them. Although the distribution of the Bluethroats has not 

 yet been quite clearly defined, it would seem that C. suecica is more 

 of a northern and eastern species, with its breeding habitat in Northern 

 Europe and Asia, while C. wolfi is more of a southern and western 

 species, breeding in Central and South-western Europe. In winter 

 both forms are to be met with on migration in North Africa, C. suecica 

 being more abundant in the east and C. wolfi in the west of the 

 Continent. 



The only authentic record of the occurrence of the Orange-spotted 

 Bluethroat in Tunisia appears to be Dr. Koenig's statement of his 

 having secured a male specimen in the neighbourhood of Gabes, on 

 May 18th, 1887 (J. /. 0. 1888, p. 205). 



In its habits the Bluethroat is said to closely resemble the Robin, 

 but is more partial to marshy localities where reeds and similar 

 aquatic plants flourish. In such spots the bird, although by no means 

 shy, is more or less hidden, and is therefore not so often seen as it 

 otherwise might be, particularly as it keeps to a great extent on the 

 ground, taking, indeed, most of its food there. This seems to consist 

 almost entirely of insects and worms. The species is said to be a 

 good songster, having some powerful and varied notes, which are to be 

 heard mostly in the early morning and late evening. 



CYANECULA WOLFI, C. L. Brehm. 

 WHITE-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT. 



Cyanecula wolfi, C. L. Brehm, Beitr. zur Vogelk. ii, p. 173 (1822). 

 Erithacus cyaneculus, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v, p. 311. 

 Sylvia (Cyanecula) suecica, Malherbe, Cat. Bais. d'Ois.Alg. p. 11 (1846) 

 Cyanecula suecica, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 222 (1867). 

 C. leucocyana, Koenig, J.f. 0. 1888, p. 205; id. J.f. 0. 1892, p. 412. 

 C. cyanecula, Erlanger, J.f. 0. 1899, p. 215. 



