104 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



stripe lemon-coloured, becoming paler, over the ear-coverts ; underparts 

 yellowish-white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries bright lemon. 



Iris dark hazel ; bill and feet light brown. 



Total length 4-50 inches, wing 2-70, cuhuen -45, tarsus -80. 



Adult female resembles the male, but is slightly smaller. 



Observations. — The Willow-Wren may be distinguished from the Chiff- 

 chaff by its larger size, rather brighter coloration, lighter coloured feet, and 

 more pointed wmg, the second primary quill being shorter than the fifth and, 

 as a rule, slightly longer than the sixth. 



Like the preceding species, the Willow-Wren is a winter migrant 

 in Tunisia, but more particularly in the south of the Kegency, as 

 probably few, if any, of the species pass the colder months north of 

 the Atlas. It arrives in the late autumn, and leaves again in the early 

 spring, and I am unaware of any instance of its breeding in the 

 Regency. I have, however, a specimen of this Warbler from Tripoli, 

 which was obtained at Ziegen, a considerable way inland from the 

 coast, as late as May 16 th. 



In North Tunisia the Willow-Wren is mostly to be seen during 

 the periods of migration, but in the oases of the south it is at times 

 most abundant during the winter months. From Kef, in North 

 Tunisia, I have specimens obtained in November, but the species 

 was far less numerous there at that season than P. rufus. 



In its mode of living and in its habits generally the present 

 species does not differ greatly from the Chiffchaff, showing a partiality 

 for gardens and orchards, and being constantly and actively engaged 

 in hunting for insects and their larvse. The stomachs of those 

 obtained by me generally contained the remains of small flies. The 

 notes of the Willow- Wren are, however, far superior to those of the 

 Chiffchafi", and its well-known song, descending the scale in a long 

 succession of liquid notes, is one of the uiost charming sounds of 

 spring. 



