118 BIRDS THAT BREED IN MADEIRA DESCRIBED, [chap. vi. 



green ; the under -wing coverts white ; the legs pale brown ; 

 the entire length is four inches ; from the cai*pus to the end 

 of the wing two inches and a quarter ; the length of the 

 tarsus is three-quarters of an inch ; the middle toe and claw 

 half an inch; the fourth, fifth, and sixth quill feathers are 

 of equal length, and the longest in the wing. Believing so 

 small a bird to have but a limited range, and not finding it 

 even amongst the birds of the Canary Islands described by 

 Webb and Berthelot, or amongst the birds of Africa, I ven- 

 ture to give it the name of " Regulus Madeirensis." It lives 

 amongst the laurel forests, in the less frequented parts of the 

 island. 



The Spectacle Warbler is very locally distributed. It is 

 found in brakes and bushes in some of the unfrequented 

 parts. 



The Gray Wagtail is very common, frequenting the cisterns 

 attached to houses, as well as the streams, where, from its 

 familiar habits amongst the washerwomen, it has been ad- 

 mitted, in Madeiran phraseology, into the ranks of the sister- 

 hood, under the title of " Lavandeira." 



The Meadow Pipet is plentifully found on the cliffs and 

 fields near the sea and on the serras. It utters a low 

 note, running along the ground, and never taking a long 

 flight. 



The Green Canary is the original stock of the bird so well 

 known to us as the yellow Canary. It flies about in large 

 flocks with linnets and other birds, and is easily distinguished 

 by its song, which is the same as that of the captive variety. 

 The price of a good singing canary either in Madeira or the 

 Canary Islands varies from five to nine shillings, so that, in 

 fact, it may be bought much cheaper in London. This bird 

 has been admirably described by Dr. Heineken in these 



