114 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



throat white, becoming very pale buff on the breast and rest of the iinder- 

 parts ; flanks darker. 



Iris dark brown ; bill brown, paler on lower mandible ; feet pale brown. 



Total length 5 inches, wing 2-75, culmeu -60, tarsus -90. 



Adult female resembles the male, but is slightly smaller. 



The present species must be more or less rare in Tunisia, as I have 

 never met with it myself, and have only one or two specimens of 

 the hird, which were obtained by Blanc in the neighbourhood of the 

 town ot Tunis. The species, however, probably occurs sparingly 

 in suitable localities throughout North Tunisia as a regular winter 

 migrant. 



Loche says that it is to be found in Algeria, inhabiting the higher 

 and more inaccessible parts of the Chiffa Mountains, where it is, 

 however, rarely to be seen owing to its shyness. He adds, however, 

 that its song may often be heard, and that its notes are varied and 

 pleasing. Specimens of this and of the preceding species obtained 

 by Loche in Algeria exist in the Milan Museum. 



The Marsh-Warbler differs from the Reed-Warbler in being far 

 less aquatic and less skulking in its habits. It is, indeed, often found 

 at a considerable distance from water and marshy spots, and breeds in 

 bushes, and never apparently among reeds. 



Its song is also considered to be superior to that of the Eeed- 

 Warbler and others of the genus, and is more like that of the species 

 of Hypolais. Its food is no doubt similar to that of its congeners. 



ACROCEPHALUS ARUNDINACEUS (Linnajus). 



GEEAT EEED-WAEBLER. 



Tardus arundinaceus, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 296 (1766). 

 Acrocephalus arundinaceus, Gray, List. Gen. Birds, p. 28 (1841). 

 Acrocephalus turdoides, Scebolim, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. v, p. 95 ; 



Whitakcr, Ibis, 189-5, p. 95. 

 Calamoherpe turdoides, Loche, Exi^l. Sci. Alg. Ois. i, p. 256 (1867) ; 



Kocnig, J.f. 0. 1888, p. 192 ; id. J.f. 0. 1892, p. 391. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Oued Hattoub, Central Tunisia. 

 Above olive-brown, brighter on the rump and upper tail-coverts ; super- 



