50 TURDIDJ2. 



Subfamily SYLVIIN^E. 



24. Sylvia cinerea, Bechstein. The Common WMtethroat. 



" Arrives about Tangier and crosses to Europe in April and 

 May, returning to winter further south in September and 

 October. Is nearly as abundant as the Blackcap, and seen on 

 passage in small flights. On their return they have the top of 

 the head the same colour as the back, like the females in 

 spring." Favier. 



Mr. Meade-Waldo observed this bird's first arrival near Tangier 

 on the 22nd of March, 1894. 



I never saw the Common Whitethroat near Gibraltar in 

 winter. Their first arrival was noticed in 1870 on the 7th of 

 April, in 1871 on the 7th of April, in 1872 on the llth of April, 

 many passing on the 19th and 20th, and in 1874 on the 8th of 

 A.pril, in 1894 on the 30th of March. They nest abundantly in 

 the Cork-wood, and also in quantities in marshy places, building 

 their nests in thick leafy plants, often in those of the willow- 

 herb (Epilobium) ; the average time for their laying is, the 7th of 

 May. When looking for Savi's Warbler, we sometimes found 

 a dozen nests in the day. 



Sack reddish broion legs pale brown ; chin and thro.it much whiter 

 than the rest of the underparts ; quills and wing-coverts edged with pale 

 rufous ; iris reddish broion. Length 5^ inches. 



25. Sylvia curruca (Linnaeus) . The Lesser Whitethroat. 



This bird is, as far as toy observations go, rare. A specimen 

 was obtained in my garden at Gibraltar in April, and another 

 on the 19th of April, 1872. It does not appear to have been 

 noticed by M. Favier near Tangier. 



Head and back bluish grey, back suffused with brown ; legs lead-colour ; 

 iris yellowish white. Length 5 inches. 



