GET TVS WARBLER. 31 



Cetti's Warbler, distinguished from all other Sylciidce by having 

 only ten quills instead of twelve in the tail, is found in the whole 

 of Southern Europe, from Spain to the Caucasus. It has been said 

 to have been killed, but erroneously, in England, and Count Miihle, 

 in expressing his surprise at this, attempts to account for it by 

 attributing it to a deficiency in the development of the wings, — a 

 reason which I think can hardly be maintained, when we hear of 

 much weaker birds flying an infinitely greater distance. It occurs in 

 Sicilv, Corsica, Sardinia, Spain, and France, being especially common 

 in winter in the southern provinces of the latter country. M. Gerbe 

 reports its appearance in the department of the Var, and M. Crespon 

 indicates many localities in which it is found in Provence; and Count 

 Miihle found it in Greece. It occurs in Egypt, and, according to 

 Captain Loche, in the three provinces of Algeria. Mr. Salvin says, 

 in the "Ibis," for July, 1859: — '"'On one or two occasions, among 

 the tamarisk trees on the banks of the Chemore, I caught a momentary 

 glimpse of a bird of this species — not more than was sufficient to 

 recognise it. It appears to be shy and not common in the Eastern 

 Atlas of Africa." Major Irby writes from Gibraltar, — "Resident, and 

 to be found wherever there are bushes and water." 



It is only found in the thickest and most impenetrable coverts of 

 grassy plants, and thick hedges and ditches. It is very shy, more 

 so than any other Heed Warbler: should it chance to climb up on a 

 branch or reed-stem, it is down again the moment it is observed. Its 

 song is rather agreeable, but is heard only from its concealment. 

 The poor bird seems to have a more than usual instinctive knowledge 

 that reasoning man is its enemy. Its call of two syllables resounds 

 continually. When it is pursued, and it thinks the enemy has been 

 led away far enough, it will turn quickly back again to its first place. 



It builds its nest in a bush not far from water, and near the 

 ground. It is constructed of dry grass and half-decayed plant stems. 

 It lavs four or five eggs, which are brown red, without spots, and 

 as large as those of the Whitethroat. 



The Eev. Canon Tristram, in one of the most interesting papers on 

 natural history ever published, namely, his visit to Lake Halloula in 

 North Africa, (" Ibis," vol. ii., first series,) thus describes his meeting 

 with this bird: — "But let us search this coarse grass and tamarisk 

 bed carefully, for here, says my guide, we shall find Sylvia Cetti. 

 I had the week before obtained a nest near Algiers, but had no 

 opportunity of watching the habits of the bird. I am again disap- 

 pointed. The bird has just begun to sit, but has crept away on 



