HYPOLAIS ICTERINA 109 



hillsides near G-hardimaou, and in the same districts as H. icterina, 

 although generally at rather higher altitudes than the latter species. 

 In the neighbourhood of the town of Tunis H. polyglotta is also often 

 to be met with in spring and summer. Apparently none of the 

 members of this genus winter in the Eegency, but go further south. 



H. polyglotta frequents gardens and orchards, as well as the less 

 cultivated hillsides and wilder country districts, and is particularly 

 fond of the banks of streams, and of the vicinity of water in general. 

 Its diet appears to be almost entirely composed of insects. The song 

 of this species is ver}' rich and varied, and its specific name of poly- 

 glotta, as well as its English appellation of melodious, are most 

 appropriate. 



The species seems to be rather a late breeder, and does not nest, as 

 a rule, until May and June. Its nest, which resembles that of the 

 Icterine Warbler, is generally to be found in the fork of a low tree 

 or bush, and is a neat, cup-shaped structure, composed chiefly of fine 

 grasses, lined v/ith the seed-down of some plant, and with a little 

 hair. The eggs, usually four in number, are very oval in shape, and 

 of a pinkish colour, sparsely spotted with dark brown. Average 

 measurements 18 X 13 mm. 



HYPOLAIS ICTERINA (Vieillot). 

 ICTEEINE WARBLEK. 



Sylvia icterina, Vieill. Nouv. Diet, xi, p. 19i (1817). 



Hypolais icterina, Gerbe, Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 440 ; Seebohm, Cat. Birds 



Brit. Mils, v, p. 77 ; Koetiig, J. f. 0. 1892, p. 390 ; Whitaker, Ibis, 



1896, p. 92. 

 Hypolais salicaria, Lochc, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 273 (1867). 



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



Above olive-green ; wings and tail brown, margined with grey ; lores, 

 superciliaries and entire underparts pale lemon-yellow ; bastard primary 

 shorter than the primary coverts. 



Iris brown ; bill yellowish-brown, becoming yellowish-orange on lower 

 mandible ; feet pale brown. 



Total length 5-25 inches, wing 3-15, culmeu -60, tarsus SO. 



Adult female similar to the male. 



