Collection of Birds from the Mediterranean. IGl 



CiSTicoLA cisTicoLA * (Tcmm.). 



The typical form of the Fautail Warbler was obtained in 

 winter in Egypt and Greece, and was found breeding in 

 Sicily and Spain in summer, but was not seen in Crete. 

 No evidence of any migratory movement was observed. 



TURDUS PILARIS L. 



The Fieldfare was only met with on two occasions, the 

 18th and 27th November, at Port Said, four birds altogether 

 being seen, and those evidently on migration southwards. 

 The stomach of one shot was practically empty, containing 

 only a little sand and a few pieces of shell. 



TuRDUs PHiLOMELUs PHiLOMELUs Brchm. {T. mtisicHS 

 auct.) 



The Song-Thrush was met with all over the Mediterranean 

 in winter only. It seems probable that, just as in the 

 British Islands in winter, severe weather on the Continent 

 causes a migratory movement among the Thrushes, Larks, 

 etc., so there occur across the Mediterranean, even in raid- 

 winter, migratory movements of a number of species, which 

 get frozen out during specially cold spells in the south-east 

 of Europe and Asia Minor. As an example, on the 

 8th January at daybreak when the ship was in Aboukir Bay, 

 five miles from the low-lying coast, a single Song-Thrush 

 came from the northward, and flew several times round the 

 ship, then mounted higher and higher till lost to sight — 

 probably continuing its journey landwards. The local 

 weather had been fine and settled for days past. Every- 

 where in the Mediterranean the Song-Thrushes were very 

 wild, hiding in the thickest cover on the least alarm — never 

 singing — and when flushed escaping hurriedly to the nearest 

 cover with a stifled " tehik." 



Egypt. — A fairly plentiful winter visitor. First seen 8 a.m. 

 30th October, a single tired bird. Winter numbers reached 

 at the end of Novembt-r. 



Crete. — Plentiful winter visitor. Last noted 11th March, 



* For tlie reason for the omission of the third name in this case see 

 under Coccothraustes, p. 124. 



SER. IX. VOL. VI. M 



