SYLVIA SUBALPINA. 87 
91. Sylvia rufa (Bodd.). The Common Wliitethroat. 
" Arrives about Tangier and crosses to Europe in April 
and May, returning to winter further south in September and 
October. Is nearly as abundant as the Blackcap^ and seen on 
passage in small flights. On their return they have the top 
of the head the same colour as the back, like the females in 
spring. ^^ — Favier. 
I never saw the common Whitethroat near Gibraltar in 
winter. I noticed their first arrival in 1870 on the 7th of 
AprH, in 1871 on the 7th of April, in 1872 on the 11th of 
April, many passing on the 19th and 20th, and in 1874 on 
the 8th of April. They nest abundantly in the Cork-wood, 
and elsewhere in quantities in marshy places, building their 
nests in thick leafy plants, often in those of the willow herb 
(Epilobium) ; the average time for their laying is the 7th of 
May. When looking for Savi's Warbler, I sometimes found 
a dozen nests in the day. 
92. Sylvia coNSPiciLLATA,Marm. The Spectacled Warbler. 
Favier merely says of the Spectacled Warbler, that about 
Tangier it is not common, and only seen on passage north in 
March. He gives no date of its autumnal migration, but 
states that they pass the winter somewhere further south. 
The earliest date on which I obtained it near Gibraltar 
was on the 10th of March. It is a conspicuous, scrub-haunting 
bird, frequenting dry and more open ground than the White- 
throat, being seen among cactus bushes. A sure place for 
finding them is in the Carteian hills. They remain during the 
nesting-season, but I did not myself find the nest. 
The irides are very light brown ; the inside of the mouth 
pale yellow. 
93. Sylvia subalpina, Bonap. The Subalpine Warbler. 
Favier merely states that " this species occurs near Tangier 
on passage in March and April, and again in October." It 
is not often noticed near Gibraltar ; but I shot one on the 20th 
March, 1870, and at Tangier on the 26th of March and 27th 
of April, 1874. On the 27th of March, 1871, I saw eight or 
