106 AVES 1NSESSORES. [SYLVIA. 



(3. SALICARIA, Selby.) 



48. S. Locustella, Lath. (Grasshopper Warbler.) 

 Upper plumage olivaceous brown, spotted with dusky : 

 tail of one colour, long, and very much cuneated. 



S. Locustella, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. i. p. 184. Grasshopper 

 Warbler, Mont. Orn. Diet, and Supp. Selb. Illust. vol. i. p. 199. 

 pi. 45**. f. 1. Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 247. 



DIMENS. Entire length five inches six lines : length of the bill (from 

 the forehead) five lines, (from the gape) seven lines and a half; of the 

 tarsus nine lines and a half; of the tail two inches three lines ; from the 

 carpus to the end of the wing two inches four lines and a half. 



DESCRIPT. All the upper parts olivaceous brown, with a dusky spot 

 in the centre of each feather, most conspicuous on the head and back : 

 throat white, bounded by a circle of small oval brown spots ; breast and 

 belly yellowish white ; under tail-coverts pale yellowish brown, with dusky 

 streaks occupying the shafts of the feathers : quills and tail dusky brown, 

 with pale olive edges : feet yellowish brown : hind claw shorter than the 

 toe. (Egg.) Pale reddish white, speckled all over with darker red brown : 

 long, diarn. eight lines; trans, diam. six lines. 



Visits this country in April, but is not generally distributed, and no 

 where very plentiful. Haunts thickets and furzy commons, principally 

 in damp situations, and is of shy habits, seldom exposing itself to view. 

 Note resembling that of the gryllidce. Nest artfully concealed, placed 

 on the ground, or in thick bushes of furze and bramble; composed of dried 

 stalks and goose-grass, and lined with fibrous roots. Eggs six in number. 

 Food principally small coleopterous insects. 



49. S. Phragmitis, Bechst. (Sedge Warbler.) Upper 

 plumage olivaceous brown, tinged with yellow, and spotted 

 with dusky : above the eye a broad white streak : tail 

 moderate. 



S. Phragmitis, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. i. p. 189. Sedge Warbler, 

 Mont. Orn. Diet. Selb. Illust. vol. i. p. 201. pi. 45**. f. 2. Reed 

 Warbler, Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 246. 



DIMENS. Entire length five inches five lines : length of the bill (from 

 the forehead) five lines, (from the gape) seven lines and a half; of the 

 tarsus nine lines and a half; of the tail two inches one line ; from the 

 carpus to the end of the wing two inches four lines : breadth, wings 

 extended, seven inches five lines. 



DESCRIPT. Top of the head, back, scapulars and wing-coverts, oliva- 

 ceous brown, with a dark spot in the centre of each feather : neck, lower 

 part of the back, rump and upper tail-coverts, plain yellowish brown : a 

 broad and very distinct white streak above the eye, arising from the base 

 of the bill, and extending the length of the head : all the under parts 

 yellowish white, with a reddish tinge on the breast, sides, and under tail- 

 coverts : quills brown with pale edges : tail deep yellowish brown : bill 

 dusky above, whitish beneath : irides dark hazel : feet yellowish brown ; 

 soles yellow. (Egg.) Greenish white ; mottled all over with yellow 

 brown: long. diam. eight lines; trans, diam. six lines. 



Very abundant in marshy districts, and by the sides of rivers, visiting 

 this country about the third week in April. Song much varied, imitative 



