63 



SAVIS WABBLEE. 



CHAPTER V. 



WARBLERS SAVIS AND GRASSHOPPER WARBLERS, GOLDEN- 

 CRESTED, FIRE- CRESTED, AND DALMATIAN REGULUS. 



Cl AVIS WARBLER (Sylvia luscinoides). This pretty little 

 (O bird, which generally measures about live inches and a 

 half, belongs, like the two last described, to the small 

 group which frequent moist and shaded situations among 

 reeds and bushes near water. M. Savi, who first described 

 it, says it arrives in Tuscany about the middle of April, 

 and conceals itself among willows and shrubs, creeping 

 about among the low branches, and feeding on worms and 

 insects. Of the nest and eggs we have no description. 

 With us the bird is a very rare visitant ; the first British 

 specimens were obtained in the fens of Cambridgeshire, in 

 the spring of 1840. Since then a pair has been obtained 

 at Saffron Walden, in Essex. Of the peculiar habits of 

 this bird little or nothing is known ; probably, they are the 

 same as others of its genus. Its head, neck (above), back, 

 wings, and tail feathers are reddish brown ; chin and throat 

 almost white ; front of neck and breast pale brown ; under 

 parts of the body somewhat darker. 



