SYLVIA. 69 



Sylvia nisoria. BARRED WARBLER. 



Motacilla nisoria Bechstein, Gem. Naturg. Deutschl. iv. 

 1795, p. 580 : Germany. 



Sylvia nisoria (Bechst.) ; Seebohm, Cat. Birds B. M. v. 1881, 

 p. 6 ; B. O. 17. List, 1st ed. 1883, p. 13 ; Saunders, Manual, 

 2nd ed. 1899, p. 51. 

 Nisoria = hawk-like, from nisus = a Sparrow-Hawk, on account of the 



barred lower plumage. 



Distribution in the British Islands. Until recently re- 

 garded as a Bare Visitor, but during the last few years it has 

 appeared regularly as an Autumn Migrant in small numbers, 

 chiefly on the east coast and at the Orkney and Shetland 

 Islands. It has occurred in the Hebrides, including 

 St. Kilda, and twice in Ireland. Two examples have been 

 recorded in spring from Kent, April 1907. 



General Distribution. The Barred Warbler breeds in 

 Europe, from southern Sweden, Russia, Denmark, eastern 

 Germany, and northern Italy to Bulgaria, and the southern 

 Urals. It winters in north-east Africa. From west Siberia 

 and Turkestan an allied race, S. n. merzbacheri, has been 

 described. 



Sylvia subalpina. SUBALPINE WARBLER. 



Sylvia subalpina Temminck, Man. d'Orn. 2nd ed. i. 1820, 

 p. 214 : Turin, Italy. 



Sylvia subalpina Temm. ; Seebohm, Cat. Birds B. M. v. 1881, 



p. 27 ; Saunders, Manual, 2nd ed. 1899, p. 53. 

 Subalpina = subalpine. 



Distribution in the British Islands. A Rare Visitor. Has 

 occurred at St. Kilda, June 1904 ; and at Fair Isle, Shetlands, 

 June 1908. 



General Distribution. The Subalpine Warbler breeds in 

 south-west Europe as far north as Savoy and east to Italy, 

 Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. Its winter quarters are at 

 present uncertain. Two closely allied races have been 



