THE ORPHEAN WARBLER. 363 



legs and feet slate-grey to greyish-brown ; iris pale yellow to 

 yellowish -white . 



Characters and allied forms. — S. h. crassirostris (Balkans to 

 Turkestan) has usually slightly longer bill and is considerably less 

 buff on under-parts especially flanks and under tail-coverts which 

 are inclined to be grey. White in tail distinguishes it from Blackcap. 

 In some plumages might be confused with Barred Warbler, but 

 uniform upper tail-coverts, shorter tail and wing-formula always 

 distinguish it. 



Field -characters. — Like a large Blackcap without the definite 

 " cap," with a white throat and white in outer tail-feathers. The 

 "tut-tut " alarm-note is much like that of Blackcaj) and so is its 

 song, which, however, is more varied and less resonant (H.F.W.). 



Breeding-habits. — Usually nests among outer branches of trees, 

 5 to 8 ft. from ground, but occasionally in quite small bushes or at 

 considerable heights in trees. Nest. — Neatly built of grasses, roots 

 and bents, mixed into a few flowery weeds and down, lined finer 

 roots, and at times a little hair. Eggs. — 4 or 5, ground pale greenish- 

 white, with umber-brown spots and streaks and ashy shell-marks. 

 The spots frequently have soft brownish edges. Average of 100 eggs, 

 20 X 14 mm. Breeding-season. — From early May onward in south 

 Europe : late April in north Africa. Incubation. — Male takes part 

 (Stenhouse). 



Food. — Insects and their larvae found in trees, especially lepidoptera 

 (moths and caterpillars), diptera, etc., but little definite information. 

 Berries said to be eaten in autumn, and J. H. Stenhouse found 

 grasshoppers and figs in stomach. 



Distribution. — England. — Five obtained. Female shot and 

 another said to have been seen near Wetherby (Yorks.), July 6, 1848 

 (thought to have been nesting). Young bird, said to have 

 been unable to fly, caught near Holloway (Middlesex), June, 1866 

 (Saunders, p. 45). Female shot near St. Leonards (Sussex), Oct. 7, 

 1903 (W. R. Butterfield, Bull. B.O.C., xiv, p. 16). Young bird 

 picked up near same place Sept. 16, 1905 (C. B. Ticehurst, op. c, 

 xvi, p. 35). Male shot West St. Leonards, Sept. 21, 1916 (J. B. 

 Nichols, Brit. B., xi, p. 45). 



Distribution. — Abroad. — South-west Europe and north-west 

 Africa, through central parts of France in small numbers, north to 

 Luxembourg and Metz, west Switzerland, Italy, and Sicily. Winter- 

 quarters must be Africa, but not actually knowai. Replaced by a 

 closely-allied form in Asia Minor, Turkestan, Afghanistan, Persia to 

 Gilgit, west to Dalmatia, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Greece, 

 winteiing in India, Arabia, and north-east Africa. 



