CuUection of Birds from the Mediterranean. 159 



also at Athens from 13th to 23rfl April^ where some of the 

 males were singing and making nuptial fliglits. 



Probably it is a breeding-species at both places, but the 

 occurrence of a single male (presumably of this race) on 

 board ship 40' west of Crete on 29th April shewed that the 

 migration was still going on at that date. None were met 

 with in Egypt in the autumn. 



Sylvia conspicillata conspicillata Temm. 



The Spectacled Warbler was not observed to the eastward 

 of Malta and Sicily. Where found the species is quite 

 sedentary and very local. 



Malta. — Breeding plentifully. Earliest nest with four fresh 

 eggs 23rd March ; latest nest with five fresh eggs 28th April. 

 One nest, found nearly built on 23rd March, was unaltered 

 and rain-sodden on 1st April, but contained the unusual 

 number of six eggs (a week incubated) on 25th April, thirty- 

 three days after it was first found. 



Sicily. — 30th May, a fully fledged brood seen. 



Sylvia undata undata (Bodd.). 



The Dartford Warbler was not met with to the eastward 

 of Sardinia, where, as in Spain, it was found resident and 

 specimens were obtained breeding. 



Sylvia sarda Temm. 



Marmora's Warbler was found in Sardinia (only) both in 

 May and December, evidently resident. In May none were 

 met with until the short scrub-clothed undulations among: 

 the foot-hills, a mile or two from the coast, were reached, 

 whereas in winter one bird was seen in a thick lentiscus bush 

 close to the seashore. Perhaps, as in the case of the Dart- 

 ford Warbler, there is a seasonal movement. In habits 

 Marmora's Warbler resembles the Dartford Warbler, skulkins: 

 and unobtrusive, except in the breeding-season, when, in 

 spite of its small size and dark plumage, the habit of repeat- 

 ing its alarm-note (a single sharp sparrow-like " twip "' 

 uttered by both sexes) from the top of a bush, on the appi-oach 

 of the intruder, is apt to render the bird rather conspicuous. 



