92 BIBDS OF TUNISIA 



Blackcap of Sardinia differs from the ordinary form in being generally 

 darker, both above and below, the rufous head of the female being 

 also darker. This bird has been named Sylvia atricapilla Paichiccii 

 (Avicula, 1902, p. 103). Not having seen any specimens from Sardinia. 

 I cannot give any opinion as to the validity of this form. 



" Sports " or " varieties " of the Blackcap are occasionally met with, 

 and I have a specimen in my collection which is of a silvery-grey all 

 over, excepting the black head. 



SYLYIA HORTENSIS, Bechstein. 

 GARDEN-WARBLER. 



Motacilla hortensis, Bechst. Gemeinn. Naturg. DeiUscIil. iv, p. 550 (1795). 

 Sylvia hortensis, Bechst. Orn. Taschenb. p. 169 (1802) ; Seebolim, Cat. 



Birds Brit. Mas. v, p. 10 ; Malherbe, Faune Ornith. de I'Alg. p. 13 



(1855) ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1896. p. 91. 

 Curruca hortensis, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 236 (1867); Koenig, 



J. f. 0. 1892, p. 389. 

 SylYia salicaria, Whitaker, Ibis, 1898, p. 597 ; Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, 



p. 263. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 

 Above uniform olive-brown, with a buff superciliary stripe ; below pale 

 buff, becoming whiter on tbe middle of the abdomen and crissum. 

 Iris dark hazel ; bill and feet grey. 



Total length 550 inches, wing 3'20, culmen -45, tarsus -80. 

 Female almost similar to male. 



The Garden-Warbler, although not particularly common in 

 Tunisia, occurs there in certain numbers as a spring and autumn 

 migrant, and also breeds in some parts of tbe Kegency. I have 

 specimens of it obtained during the month of May from both the 

 north and south of the Atlas Mountains. From Marocco, as also from 

 Tripoli, I have examples obtained as late as the middle of May, which 

 would lead one to suppose that it breeds in both those countries. 



As its name implies, the Garden- Warbler frequents gardens and 

 plantations where there are plenty of bushes and thick cover, and 

 is rather shy and unsociable in its habits. Its song, although vastly 

 inferior to that of the Blackcap, is mellow and has some sweet notes. 



