90 BIEDS OF TUNISIA 



SYLYIA ATRICAPILLA (Linn^us). 



BLACKCAP. 



Motacilla atricapilla, Liwi. Syst. Nat. i, p. 332 (1766). 



Sylvia atricapilla, Seebohm, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v, p. 23 ; Malherbe, 



Cat. Bats. d'Ois. Alg. p. 11 (1816); Komicj, J.f. 0. 1888, p. 200 ; id. 



J. f. 0. 1892, p. 402 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1894, p. 88 ; Erlanger, J. /. 0. 



1899, p. 262. 

 Curruca atricapilla, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 283 (1867). 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Kebilli, South Tunisia. 



Forehead and crown jet-black ; lores, ear-coverts, cheeks and nape 

 bluish-grey ; remainder of the upper plumage oUve-brown ; underparts pale 

 bluish-grey, becoming whitish on chin, abdomen and crissum, and brownish 

 on the flanks. 



Iris dark brown ; bill dark greyish-brown ; feet lead colour. 



Total length 550 inches, wing 2'95, culmen -45, tarsus '85. 



Adult female, spring, from Kebilli, South Tunisia. 



Forehead and crown bright chestnut-brown ; remainder of the upper 

 plumage olive-brown ; underparts greyish, tinged with olive-brown on the 

 sides, and whitish on tlie abdomen. 



Soft parts and measurements as in the male. 



Observations. ^Yonng males before the first moult resemble more or 

 less the female of this species, and instances are said to occur of the brown 

 head being retained by the male even until the following summer. Such 

 cases, however, can only be very exceptional, the black head being assumed, 

 as a rule, before the breeding season. The length of the wing in this species 

 varies considerably in individuals. The colour of the legs and feet also 

 varies, and examples occur with these parts dark brown instead of lead 

 colour. 



The Blackcap appears to be both resident and migratory in 

 Tunisia, occurring abundantly during the periods of migration in 

 spring and autumn, and more sparingly in summer and winter. 

 During the latter season it is to be found in the southern oases, and I 

 have notes of its occurrence at Gabes, Tatahouine, and other places 

 in the south of the Eegency. Baron Erlanger says he never came 

 across any females of this species in Tunisia in winter time, and 

 concluded, therefore, that they went further south. Mr. Aplin, 

 however, when at Tatahouine about the middle of February saw a 

 female Blackcap which had just been obtained in that neighbourhood. 



