PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 9 



2. Distribution. A West European species, of which the British race, 

 Sylvia undata dartfordiensis, is confined to the South of England and N.-W. France, 

 while S. undata undata (Boddaert) inhabits the South of France, Spain, Portugal, 

 Corsica, Sardinia, and Italy (except in the north). An African form, S. undata 

 toni (Hart.), is found in Marocco, Algeria, and possibly Tunisia. It is stationary 

 throughout its range, and hi England was formerly found in all the southern 

 counties from Cornwall to Kent, but has become extinct in Kent since 1891 ; while 

 it also breeds in Surrey, Berks, and sparingly in Oxfordshire. It formerly nested 

 in Middlesex, and still does so in Suffolk, close to the Norfolk border. Northward 

 it is said to have bred in Worcester, and has been reported of late years as nesting 

 in Salop, while it probably bred in Stafford about 1870 ; but in the northern part 

 of its range it is partially migratory and liable to extermination in hard winters, 

 so that its status has always been somewhat uncertain. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. This species has not yet been recorded on migration, though 

 possibly in winter there may be southward movements within our isles. [J. L. B.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Generally in gorse, but sometimes also in long heather, 

 usually about 18 in. from the ground and not easy to see. The materials used are 

 chiefly bents, lined with finer grasses and occasionally a little hah 1 , wool, or a feather 

 or two. (PI. XVHI.) Apparently, as hi the case of the whitethroat, the male is 

 an active partner in the work of nest building, and certainly constructs supple- 

 mentary nests (J. M. Goodall). Eggs, usually 4, sometimes 5 or only 3, much 

 like the whitethroat' s, but smaller, less greenish, with a whiter ground and more 

 distinct markings of umber-brown and lavender. Erythristic varieties of the egg, 

 in which the ordinary markings are replaced by different shades of chestnut red 

 and grey shell-marks, apparently do not occur in England, though common in 

 Spain. (PL C.) Average of 100 English eggs, -69 x -52 in. [17-5 x 13-2 mm.]. The 

 breeding season begins at the end of March, but more generally about mid- April 

 and probably two broods are reared in most cases. Incubation is said to last 

 12-14 days, and in those cases where the sex of the sitting bird has been noted, 

 was carried on by the hen. [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Insects and then- larvae. In the autumn fruits and soft berries. 

 The nestlings are fed by both parents on caterpillars and on insects generally. 

 [E. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. From about the end of March till well on into the autumn, 

 and has been recorded by Col. Mockler Ferryman as late as October 7. [E. L. T.] 



VOL. II. B 



