THE SING'NG BIRDS. 249 



inquisitive and intrusive disposition, and, as she usually remains quietly hidden among the sheltering 

 branches, is but seldom seen. During the breeding season, the male is even still more pugnacious 

 and determined. He resents all intrusions upon his privacy by approaching almost close to the 

 unwelcome visitor, loudly uttering his shrill, clear call with such rapidity as to make it appear but 

 one prolonged note. In such moments of excitement the black crest upon his head is raised aloft, 

 and the bare circles round the eyes gleam with fiery brilliancy. TI12 nest, which is substantial 

 in its structure, is usually placed in a bush or tree, and carefully concealed from view. The four or 

 five eggs have a dirty white shell delicately marked with extremely fine dark specks, sometimes they 

 are also decorated with blue markings and a wreath of olive-brown spots at the broad end. We 

 have found nests containing newly-laid eggs from March to August. After the breeding season is 

 over the parents fly about for some time in company with their young, and occasionally they remain 

 associated during the winter. 



THE SARDINIAN FIRE-EYED BLACK-HEAD. 

 The Sardinian* Fire-eyed Black-head (Pyropthalma sarda), as its name implies, is a native of 

 Sardinia ; it is likewise met with in Malta, Greece, and the neighbouring islands, also, according to 

 Hoineyer, upon the Balearic Islands. In this species the head, nape, and back are blackish grey, 

 lightly tinted with red ; the under side is pale grey, the throat whitish ; the quills and tail-feathers are 

 brownish black edged with reddish grey, except the two exterior tail-feathers, which are bordered with 

 white on the outer web. The eye is nut brown, the bare eyelid yellowish pink, and the beak black, 

 except at the yellow base of the lower mandible ; the foot is light grey. The colours of the female 

 are somewhat paler. Salvatori tells us that this interesting Warbler is one of the commonest birds 

 in Sardinia, and that it frequents all parts of the country, whether mountain or plain, provided the 

 ground is covered with bushes or heather. Homeyer speaks in the same terms of such as inhabit 

 the Balearic Isles, and tells us that their movements closely resemble those of mice, as they scurry 

 over the ground from stone to stone and shrub to shrub ; now running into a hole, now closely 

 examining every little twig of a bush, with a rapidity and dexterity far exceeding even that of the 

 Wren. During the whole time the bird is in motion the tail is brandished aloft with most grotesque 

 effect. The voice much resembles that of a male Canary in some of its notes, while others are like 

 the sound of a tiny bell ; the call-note is exactly similar to that of the Redbacked Shrike. The nest 

 is placed in thick bushes, and is formed of grass, lined with horsehair and a few feathers ; the 

 interior is deep, and the walls very thin. The four or five eggs have a greenish-white shell, clouded 

 with yellowish green, or marked with spots of various shades and with black streaks ; in size they 

 resemble those of the Goldfinch. The plumage of the young is like that of the parents, except that 

 tire head is paler, and the eyelid only slightly touched with red. Three broods are produced within 

 the year, the first being laid in August. This species does not migrate. 



THE PROVENCE FIRE-EYED WARBLER. 



The Provence Fire-eyed Warbler, called in England the Dartford Warbler {Pyropthedma 

 Provincialis), a species nearly allied to the above, is dark grey on the upper portion of its body, and 

 deep red on the under side, streaked upon the throat with white. The quills and tail-feathers are 

 brownish grey, the four exterior tail-feathers having white tips ; the eye is light brown, its lid bright 

 red ; the beak black, with the exception of the base of the under mandible, which is of a reddish hue, 

 as is the foot. The length of this bird is from four inches and three-quarters to five inches, and its 

 breadth from six inches to six and a quarter. The wing measures two inches, and the tail from two 

 inches and a quarter to two inches and a half. This beautiful active little Warbler inhabits not only 

 VOL. II.— 71 



