BRITISH BIRDS. 21 



dark brown with narrow pale margins ; under parts 

 whitish, tinged (except in centre of abdomen) with pale 

 brown ; bill horn-brown ; iris hazel ; tarsi slate-brown. 

 Length nearly 6*00 Female similar. Young have broad 

 pale margins to both secondaries and primaries. 



Arrives about beginning of May, leaving usually before 

 October. Of much more local distribution than the 

 Blackcap, although covering much the same ground ; very 

 scarce in north of Scotland, also Cornwall and west of 

 Wales ; in Ireland rare and local, but has bred in at least 

 six counties. Frequents similar places to the Blackcap. 

 Nest : built in similar positions, but usually rather more 

 bulky, and with more grass and less hair in its composi- 

 tion. Eggs : 4 or 5 ; white or greenish-white, mottled, 

 clouded, or spotted (chiefly about the larger end) with 

 several shades of brown, but quite without a red tint ; 

 some are blotched rather nicely with bright brown ; size 

 78 by *6o. Alarm note resembles Whitethroat's, but is 

 less loud and harsh. Song mellow and pleasing, but of 

 less compass than Blackcap's. 



27. Sylvia nisoria (Beeh.). BARRED WARBLER. 



Hab. Central and south-eastern Europe ; north to 

 southern Scandinavia, west to the Rhine ; also Persia and 

 Turkestan. Migrating southward in winter. 



Male : above ash-grey, turning to brownish-grey on 

 wings ; tail and wing-coverts barred with white ; all except 

 two central tail-feathers tipped with white and with white 

 margins to inner webs ; lower parts greyish-white, barred 

 transversely with deeper grey ; under wing-coverts 

 mottled with white and grey ; bill and tarsi brownish 

 Length 6*25 ; wing 3.30. Female : browner ; less barred^ 

 Young are said to show very few markings, except on the 

 rump. 



