24O CASSELLS BOOK OF BIRDS 



are brown or greyish black, the sides of the breast light rust-red, the rest of the under-side is white ; 

 the quills and tail-feathers are blackish brown, the outer web of the exterior tail-feathers white, as 

 is also a conical spot on the extremity of the inner web and on the tip of the feathers next 

 in order. The eye is light yellow, the upper mandible quite black, and the bare circle 

 around the eyes bluish grey. The female is paler than her mate, particularly about the region of 

 the head. This species inhabits the south of Europe, and only occasionally wanders to the central 

 portions of other continents. Some writers are of opinion that it remains in Greece throughout the 

 entire year,' but this statement we are satisfied, from our own observation, is incorrect ; there, as in 

 other southern countries of Europe, they generally appear about April, and migrate to Central Africa 

 and India at the beginning of autumn. Jerdon tells us that they are numerously met with in 

 Southern India during the winter, and we have ourselves seen them at that season in Africa, near 

 the Blue River. Unlike the generality of Warblers, these birds usually frequent trees rather than 

 underwood or bushes, and especially delight in groves of figs and olives, or pine forests. Throughout 

 all the well-watered and highly-cultivated districts of their native lands they are by no means 

 rare, but are seldom seen in the vicinity of mountains. Their voice is loud, sonorous, and agreeable. 

 The nest of this species is usually placed in full view, upon the bough of a tree, and is somewhat 

 thicker and more substantially constructed than that of most other Warblers ; the interior is variously 

 lined, occasionally with delicate fibrils of grape-vines or similar materials. Thienenmann mentions 

 an instance in which fish-scales were, strangely enough, employed for this purpose. The brood 

 consists of five glossy eggs, of a delicate white or greenish-white colour, spotted with violet grey or 

 yellowish brown ; the latter spots are sometimes entirely wanting. The female alone broods, while 

 her mate sits upon a neighbouring tree or branch, and cheers her labours with a constant flow of song. 

 The young are tended by both parents for some time after they are fully fledged, and go forth alone 

 into the world immediately after the first moulting season. 



The following notice of the occurrence of this species in Yorkshire may be found in the 

 "Zoologist" for 1849, from the pen of Sir William Milner, of Nunappleton : — "The species' was a 

 female, and was observed in company with its mate for a considerable time before it was shot. The 

 other bird had a black head, and the description I received left no doubt on my mind that it was a 

 male Sylvia Orfihca. The bird obtained, of which I send you a description, was shot in a small 

 plantation near the town of Wether by, on the 6th of July, 1S48, and had the appearance of having 

 been engaged in incubation, from the state of the plumage." " Mr. Graham, a bird preserver of 

 York," continues Sir W. Milner, " hearing that a very uncommon bird had been shot, went over to 

 Wetherby, and fortunately obtained the specimen for my collection. This bird had the beak black 

 and very strong; the whole upper part of the plumage dark ash-coloured brown; the outer feather of 

 the tail white ; the second on each side edged with dirty white, the rest of a brownish black ; chin 

 dirty white ; throat and belly brownish white ; under surface of the wings and vent light brown ; legs 

 very strong, toes and claws black. The whole length six inches three lines." 



THE GREATER PETTICHAPS. 



The Greater Pettichaps, or Garden Warbler (Curruca or Sylvia hortensis), is six inches 

 long, and nine and three-quarters broad; the wing measures three' inches, and the tail two and 

 a half; the female is somewhat smaller than her mate, but resembles him in colour. The entire upper 

 portion of the body is olive-grey, the throat and belly are of a whitish shade, and the rest of the 

 under side light grey. The quills and tail are dark grey, the eye light greyish brown, the beak and 

 feet dull grey. 



This species inhabits the whole of Southern Europe, extending in a northerly direction as far as 



