PHYLLOSCOPUS SIBILATEIX 105 



PHYLLOSCOPUS SIBILATRIX (Bechsteio). 

 WOOD-WEEN. 



Motacilla sibilatrix, Bechst. Naturforscher, xxvii, p. 47 (1793). 

 Phylloscopus sibilatrix, Blijth, Cat. Birds Mus. As. Soc. p. 184 (1849) ; 



Sccbolim, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v, p. 54 ; Wliitaker, Ibis, 1895, p. 95. 

 SylYia (Ficedula) sibilatrix, Malherbc, Fauna Oriiith. da I'Alg. p. 13 



(1855). 

 Phyllopneuste sibilatrix, Locke, E.vpl. Sci. Alg. Ois. 1, p. 250 (1867) ; 



Kocuig, J.f. 0. 1888, p. 192 ; id. J.J. 0. 1892, p. 390. 

 P. sibilatrix flavescens, Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 254. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Ain-Moulares, South Tuiiisica. 



Above yellowish-green, lighter on the rump ; quills and tail greyish-brown, 

 margined with yellowish-green, a lemon-yellow stripe extending from base 

 of bill backward over the eye ; lores and a short stripe behind the eye grey ; 

 cheeks, throat and sides of the breast pale lemon-yellow ; rest of the uuder- 

 parts white ; under wing-coverts and axillaries lemon-yellow. 



Iris dark brown ; bill brown ; feet pale brown, with a yellowish tinge. 



Total length 5 inches, wing 3, culmen -45, tarsus -70. 



Adult female resembles the male, but is slightly smaller. 



The Wood-Wren is abundant is Tunisia during the periods of 

 migration, particularly during the spring passage, and, according to 

 the naturalist Blanc, it also passes the winter in some parts of the 

 south. With regard to its breeding in the Eegency I have no positive 

 information, but judging from the fact that the species is met with 

 during the month of May, it seems not unlikely that it does nest in 

 that country. From Tripoli I have specimens of the Wood-Wren 

 obtained in April and May, and even as late as the 15th of the latter 

 month, when one would suppose the bird to be breeding. Loche 

 also, writing of this species, gives one to understand that it nests in 

 Algeria. In this latter country, as well as in Marocco, the species is 

 not uncommon during the periods of migration. 



In most of its habits the present species resembles the two 

 preceding, and is generally found frequenting woods and gardens 

 where the vegetation is fairly lofty and aphides and smaller winged 

 insects are plentiful. The call note is a plaintive whistle, " clee-ur," 

 and the peculiar shivering song has no doubt, given rise to the bird's 

 specific name. 



Although I have no nest or eggs of the Wood- Wren from Tunisia, 



