62 TURDID.E. 



on the Spanish side, wherever there are thick bushes (generally 

 bramble-brakes close to water) Cetti's Warbler is to be heard. 

 Perhaps many migrate ; but at Casas Viejas they are quite as 

 common during the winter months as at any other season, and, 

 somewhat like our own Robin, may be heard singing at all times. 

 Very difficult to see in the breeding-season, in the winter months 

 they do not skulk so much. They are excessively restless, being 

 ever on the move ; and often in the winter, when hidden up in 

 the sotos near Casas Yiejas, have I watched them quite close to 

 me ; but the slightest movement on my part sent them off to 

 the thickest depths of the jungle. In the breeding-season it is 

 almost impossible to catch a glimpse of one. 



The only chance of shooting them is at the nest, which is 

 always placed some distance from the ground, generally at a 

 height of about two or three feet, and is either situated in a 

 thick bush or (when in a bushy swamp) constructed, somewhat 

 like the nest of the Reed- Warbler, on the stalks of reeds and 

 Epilolium. These nests, extremely difficult to find, are built of 

 bits of small sedges, intermingled with willow-cotton, and chiefly 

 lined outside with strips of the stems of the Epilolnum, inside 

 with fine grass, a few hairs, and bits of cotton at the top. Those 

 nests built in bushes are chiefly constructed with grass and 

 cotton, and are entirely lined with hair. All the nests are deep 

 and cup-shaped, largest at the base, measuring about 4J inches 

 in height, the inside depth being 2J-, the internal diameter 

 2f inches. The beautiful pink eggs, which lose much of their 

 beauty when blown, are laid about the end of April, and are 

 usually five in number ; but I have known only three. 



The birds are rather irregular as to the time of nesting, as I 

 have seen nests nearly on the point of hatching and others with 

 fresh eggs on the same day (13th of May). 



Tail much graduated and of ten feathers, with indistinct bands of dark 

 brown. 



Sexes alike, males slightly larger. 



Head and upper parts rusty brown. Chin, throat, and centre of belly 

 white. Inside of mouth yellowish. Length 5 inches. 



