THE SINGING BIRDS. 247 



species the fourth wing-quill is the longest. The Spectacled Warblers inhabit all of the more southern 

 countries of Europe, and usually remain throughout the year in their native lands. In their habits 

 they closely resemble the species above described, but are generally met with in districts overgrown 

 with low bushes and thistles. We learn from Wright that two broods are produced within the year, 

 the first eggs being laid about February. 



THE WHITE-BEARDED WARBLER. 



The White-bearded Warbler (Curruca kucopogon) is one of the most attractive members of 

 this family ; the entire upper portion of the body is of a beautiful dark grey, the under side greyish 

 white, the throat bright rust-red, adorned with a narrow white line, which passes from the base of the 

 beak to the shoulders ; the reddish eye is surrounded by a circle of red feathers, while those over the 

 ears are brown ; the quills and tail-feathers are dark brown, the outer web of the exterior tail-feathers 

 being partially white, and the inner web decorated with a triangular white spot ; the other feathers are 

 merely edged with white, the eyelid is light red, the beak greyish black, the upper mandible tipped 

 with reddish grey ; the foot is also of the latter shade. The females and young are similarly coloured, 

 but are without the red feathers on the throat. This species. is four inches and three-quarters long, 

 and six inches and three-quarters broad ; the wing measures two inches and a quarter, and the tail 

 two inches and one-sixth. 



The White-bearded Warblers inhabit the dwarf woods of oleanders, evergreens, cistus, and elm 

 that clothe some of the mountainous districts of Southern Europe and North-western Africa. Within 

 and around these bosky retreats they seek their favourite insect fare with the mouse-like movements 

 that characterise their family; but, unlike the species above mentioned, they are at little pains to 

 conceal themselves at the approach of a stranger, and are generally to be seen perching in pairs 

 upon the outer branches of their favourite shrubs, whilst they carry on their chase, now darting into 

 the air to snap up a passing insect, now diving within the foliage to seize an unlucky beetle or 

 caterpillar, as it takes its morning walk upon the leaves. The nest of this species is thicker and 

 much more neatly constructed than those already described ; the four or five eggs that form a brood 

 have a dirty white shell, spotted with yellowish brown and olive green ; the markings generally form a 

 wreath at the broad end. 



THE FIRE-EYED WARBLERS. 

 The Fire-eyed Warblers (Pyroptlialmd), as they have been called by Bonaparte, on account of 

 their bare and brightly coloured eyelids, represent a group recognisable from the True Warblers by 

 the comparative shortness of their very rounded wing, in which the third and fourth quills are of equal 

 length, and also by the long, decidedly graduated tail and thick hair-like plumage. 



RUPPELL'S WARBLER. 

 Ruppell's Warbler {Curruca Riippellii) is of a dark grey on the upper parts of its body, and 

 white beneath ; the sides are shaded with grey, the rest of the under side with a reddish tinge ; the 

 head and entire throat are deep black, the cheek-stripes ash grey, and a streak that passes from the 

 base of the beak and divides the black throat from the breast is pure white. The quills and feathers 

 Of the smaller wing-covers are brownish black, the latter bordered with white ; the centre tail-feathers 

 are black; the second, third, and fourth marked with white on the inner web. and those at the 

 exterior are entirely white. The eye is light brown, the beak horn-colour, and the feet red. This 

 species is five inches and a half long, and eight and a half broad ; the wing measures eight inches and 

 a half. The female is smaller and paler than her mate. 



