319 



Tsch., inhabits N. W. Africa, breeding from Marocco to Tripoli, not only 

 along the coast but also up to about 7000 ft. in the mountains. Average 

 of 9 eggs taken by Koenig and Erlanger in Tunisia in May, 17.9 X 13.55, 

 Max. 19 X 14, Min. 16 x 12. Average weight of 5 eggs, 94 mg. (Koenig). 

 For nesting notes see J. f. 0., 1892, p. 398.] 



153. Spectacled Warbler, Sylvia conspicillata Temm. 



Plate 26, fig. 23 (Malta). 



Eggs: Thienemann, Fortpfl. Taf. XX, fig. 8, a, b. Baedeker, Tab. 

 51, fig. 6. Dresser, pi. — , fig. 32. 



Foreign Names: France: BahiUard a luneites. Italy: Sterpazzola 

 di Sardegna. Spain: Friolencos. Sylvia conspicillata Marm. fide Temm. 

 Dresser B. of Europe, II, p. 393 and Man. Pal. Birds, p. 80. S. con- 

 spicillata conspicillata Temm. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 598. 



Breeding Range: Locally in Spain, S. Portugal, S. E. France 

 and Italy; the islands in the W. Mediterranean. [Also N. W. Africa, 

 Palestine and probably Cyprus.] 



In the Iberian peninsula this species is found commonly in Algarve con- 

 in S. Portugal, but has only been recorded a few times from the rest of ^^^" ^ 

 the country. In Spain however it is local in Sevilla, fairly common 

 in Granada, and also breeds in Murcia and Valencia, while according 

 to Lilford it is found also in the plains of the central plateau, not far 

 from Aranjuez. In France it breeds in the Camargue, but is confined 

 to the desert plains of the Crau and Bone, and is said to occur locally 

 in S. E. France as far as Savoie. In Italy it is scarce and is chiefly 

 found in the S., but is said to breed in the Roman Campagna as well 

 as in Calabria. In Corsica Whitehead found it nesting, and it is said 

 to be not uncommon in Sardinia and in the mountains of Sicily, while 

 is the commonest warbler in Malta. [In N. W. Africa it is common in 

 some districts, but local in Marocco and Algeria and more general in 

 Tunisia, while it is also found on Fuertaventura. In Palestine it is found 

 on the bare highlands of Judaea and the Jordan plain, while it is chiefly 

 known as a visitor on migration to Cyprus. Curiously enough it has 

 not yet been recognized with certainty from Greece or Crete.] 



In the Camargue Eagle Clarke found a nest well hidden in a clump Nest. 

 of sea blite, while Whitehead's nest was 3 ft. from the ground in heath 

 on a brush covered hillside. It is common among the low bushes in 

 the Salt lake district of Algeria, and in S. Tunisia von Erlanger found 

 many nests in the patches of scrub between cultivated land. They are 



