Ornithology of Sardinia. 241 



Note. — Daulias philome/a. Signor Cara includes this 

 species in liis catalogue; but a supposed specimen shown by 

 him to me, and now in my collection, belongs to the com- 

 mon species (D. luscinia). 



80. CURRUCA ATRICAPILLA. 



Common and abundant, arriving in considerable numbers 

 in spring. I think a few remain in favourite localities all the 

 winter, as I have seen them early in March, long before the 

 arrival of any species of Sylviidai. They arc very partial to 

 olive-groves. 



81. CUKRUCA MELANOCEPIIALA. 



Extremely numerous, both on the hills and plains, all the 

 year round. 



82. Sylvia cukruca. 



Not common ; there is one specimen in the Cagliari museum. 



83. Sylvia cinerea. 

 Common during summer. 



84. Sylvia consficillata. 



Very common in all the uncultivated parts of the plain, 

 where it is found in company with C. melanocephala and M. 

 sard/is ; but 1 have never seen it on the hills. It is, I think, 

 the most shy of all the Warblers. During the months of April 

 and May the cock bird may generally be seen perched on the 

 highest twig of cistus forty or fifty yards off; but the moment 

 one tries to approach any nearer, it flies off low over the 

 ground, lighting again in a similar situation; and this is re- 

 pealed time after time in the most tantalizing manner. 1 do not 

 think all, if any, of these Warblers migrate in winter, as I have 

 seen as many early in March as at any other time of the year. 

 Excepting during the spring, they are very hard to sec, always 

 keeping in thick cover; and unless come upon unawares, they 

 creep away through the twigs, close along the ground, with- 

 out showing themselves. The young birds arc able to fly by 

 the middle of May; they have much broader rufous edgings 

 to the feathers than the old birds. Their song is short and 

 pleasant ; and the cocks often sing Hying up in the air, return- 



