299 



during the second half of May and exceptionally as early as May 8 (Hey). 

 Bail says that incubation lasts 14 days and that the male relieves the 

 female during the mid-day hours, while the young remain in the nest for 

 another fortnight. 



Average of 113 eggs from Germany (Hey), 21.07x14.41, Max. Measure- 

 22.8x15.6 and 22.5x16.3, Min. 19.5x14.5. Double egg. 23.9x17.2: 

 dwarf, 12.5x10. I have seen an egg 23.2x16.6. Average weight, 

 158 mg. (Key). 



143. Orphean Warbler, Sylvia hortensis(G!Ti.) [S. orphea auct.]* 



Geographical Races. 



a. Western Orphean Warbler, S. hortensis hortensis (Crm.) 



Plate 27, fig. 25 (Spain). 



Eggs: Dresser, pi. — , fig. 37 — 39 (not typical). See also p. 300, 

 note. Nest: R. B. Lodge, Bird Hunting, p. 55. 



Foreign Names: France: Caravasse. Italy: Bigia grossa. Spain: 

 Canaria, Pinzoleta. 



Sylvia orphea Temm. Newton, ed. Yarrell, I. p. 423. Dresser, B. of 

 Europe, II. p. 411 and Man. Pal. Birds, p. 85. Saunders, Man. p. 45. 

 S. hortensis hortensis (Gm.) Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 580. 



Breeding Range: S. W. Europe. [Also N. W. Africa.] 



In the Iberian peninsula it appears to be confined to the southern ^°^- 

 half of the country in Portugal, and breeds abundantly in Algarve. In Europe. 

 Spain it is found in all the central, eastern and southern districts, and 

 is very common in the wooded hills and olive groves of Andalucia. In 

 France it is entirely absent from the N. W., although it is said to breed 

 sparingly in La Brenne, but occurs in south and mid-France and in small 

 numbers as far as Luxemburg and Metz. A few pairs breed in W. 

 Switzerland, near Geneva and in the Valais. In Italy it breeds chiefly 

 in Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy, but also occurs in Venetia and 

 near Firenze. It is said also to be found, though rarely, in Sicily, but 

 not in Corsica or Sardinia, and Homeyer only met with one in the Bale- 

 aric Isles. [In Africa it breeds commonly in the wooded parts of Al- 

 geria and Tunisia, but becomes scarce in Marocco , though some cer- 

 tainly breed in the Maroccan Atlas and also in Tripoli.] 



Generally built among the branches of medium sized tres, such as Nest. 

 olives, oaks, cork-oaks, pines, oranges, etc., usually near end of a branch 

 at a height of about 8 to 15 ft., but sometimes not more than 4 — 5 ft. 



* An unfortunate change which may produce much confusion in the future, 

 but rendered necessary by the adoption of strict priority. 



