112 AVES INSESSORES. [SYLVIA. 



wings with the second quill equal to the seventh ; third, 

 fourth, fifth, and sixth, with their outer webs sloped off at 

 the extremity. 



S. Hippolais, Lath. Ind. Orn. vol. n. p. 507. S. rufa, Temm. Man. 

 d'Orn. torn. i. p. 225. Lesser Petty chaps, Mont. Orn. Diet, and 

 Supp. Selb. Illust. vol. i. p. 222. pi. 47. f. 1. Chiff-Chaff, Bew. 

 Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 258. 



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

 the forehead) four lines, (from the gape) six lines and a half; of the 

 tarsus nine lines; of the tail one inch seven lines ; from the carpus to 

 the end of the wing two inches three lines : breadth, wings extended, 

 seven inches three lines. 



DESCRIPT. Usually somewhat smaller than the S. Trochilus, \v\th the 

 wings and tail, relatively considered, still shorter than in that species ; 

 also to be distinguished from it by the characters of the quills above 

 pointed out, but in colour and general appearance almost absolutely the 

 same. Upper parts olive-green, tinged with yellow and ash-gray: be- 

 tween the bill and the eye, and over each eye, "a narrow, faint yellowish 

 white streak : quills cinereous brown, the outer webs edged with yellow- 

 ish green : all the under parts, including the under tail-coverts, whitish 

 tinged with yellow ; the yellow having a tendency on the breast to appear 

 in streaks : axillae and under wing-coverts bright primrose-yellow : tail 

 extending an inch beyond the tips of the folded wings : feet rather darker 

 than in the last species. (Egg.) White, with a few specks of dark pur- 

 plish red : long. diam. seven lines ; trans, diam. five lines and a half. 



Very abundant in some parts of England, but in others much less 

 plentiful than the last species. Is one of the earliest of our summer 

 visitants, making its first appearance about the middle, or towards the 

 end of March. Chiefly frequents woods and tall trees, and is of rest- 

 less habits, being always in motion in search of insects. Song consist- 

 ing of only two, rather loud, hollow notes, resembling the words chip- 

 chop, or chiff-chaff, which are occasionally heard till near the end of 

 September. Nest similar to that of the last species, placed on the ground, 

 or in very low bushes. Obs. Having compared our English <S. Hippolais 

 with the S. rufa of Temminck*, and found them agreeing closely in all 

 their characters, I have no hesitation in considering them as the same 

 species. 



GEN. 19. MELIZOPHILUS, Leach. 



59. M. provincialis^ Leach. (Dartford Warbler.) 

 Upper plumage deep grayish brown : throat, neck, and 

 breast, ferruginous red. 



Sylvia provincialis, Temm. Man. d'Orn. torn. i. p. 211. S. Dartford- 

 iensis, Mont, in Linn. Trans, vol. ix. p. 191. Dartford Warbler, 

 Mont. Orn. Diet, and Supp. Selb. Illust. vol. i. p. 2 19. pi. 46. f. 6. 

 Bew. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 234. 



DIMENS. Entire length five inches six lines. MONT. 

 DESCRIPT. (Male.) All the upper parts dark grayish brown : cheeks 

 cinereous: throat, neck, and breast, deep ferruginous, inclining to purple; 



* The comparison was made with a specimen of S. rufa named by Temminck himself, and 

 sent by him to Mr Gould, to whose kindness I am indebted for it. 



