248 



CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



We are almost entirely without particulars as to the life of this bird, except that it inhabits 

 South-eastern Europe, and usually frequents the bushes that grow in sandy or barren districts. It is 

 numerously met with in Palestine, Asia Minor, and the islands of the Red Sea. We have also seen 

 it in Egypt, though it usually only visits that country during the migratory season. 



THE BLACK-HEADED FIRE-EYED WARBLER. 



The Black-headed Fire-eyed Warbler {Pyropthalma melanocephala), the most numerous 



species of this group, is five inches and three-quarters long, and but seven broad ; the wing measures 



at most two inches and one-sixth, and the tail two inches and a half. The upper portion of the body 



is greyish black, the under side white, shaded with red ; the head is of velvety blackness, the throat 



tJi^ 



c 



-7' ; . .yd, A ^^SXr^M^M 





THE SPECTACLED Warbler (Curruca COHSplcillata). 



pure white ; the wings and tail are black. The outer web of the first and the inner web of the next 

 tail-feathers are white ; the eye is brownish yellow, and its lid brilliant red ; the back blue, and the 

 feet reddish grey. 



These birds inhabit the "whole of Southern Europe, even to its smallest islands, and are especially 

 numerous in Greece, Italy, and Spain ; everywhere they frequent any situation covered with shrubs 

 and bushes, and remain throughout the entire year within the limits of their native lands. Naumann 

 tells us that the song of this species, which is very varied, and consists of prolonged piping notes, is 

 constantly uttered both upon the wing and as the bird rises or sinks rapidly through the air. 



When singing in the trees the male usually selects a prominent branch, and accompanies his 

 performance by agitating his tail, erecting the feathers that form his crest, and bowing his head 

 repeatedly ; should any unusual sound occur, the bold little creature is at once on the alert to 

 discover the meaning of the noise, and invariably hurries to the spot to mingle in every fray or 

 take his part in any dispute that arises among his feathered companions. The female is not of an 



