256 SYLVIADA. 
north as Russia, Siberia, Finland, West Bothnia, and the 
most distant part of Sweden. It was seen by Mr. Hewit- 
son in Norway ; but, according to M. Nilsson, it is never 
seen in the lower or southern part of Sweden, nor is it in- 
cluded among the birds of Denmark. It appears to prefer 
the southern parts of France, and is more abundant in 
Lorraine and Alsace than elsewhere, in which latter-named 
country this bird is considered a delicate article of food, 
and great numbers are caught for the table. 
The Blue-throated Warbler is found in Sicily, Malta, 
and Egypt; Mr. Blyth has also found it in India, near 
Calcutta. 
The food of this species is earthworms, insects, and ber- 
ries ; and its song is said to be pleasing. 
I have been favoured by Mr. J. D. Hoy, of Stoke Nay- 
land in Suffolk, with the following notes of his own obser- 
vations on the habits of this species on the Contiment. 
‘‘ This bird makes its appearance early in spring, preceding 
that of the Nightingale by ten or twelve days. I have al- 
ways found this species in the breeding season in low 
swampy grounds, on the woody borders of boggy heaths, 
and on the banks of streams running through wet springy 
meadows, where there is abundance of alder and willow 
underwood. The nest is placed on the ground among 
plants of the bog myrtle, in places overgrown with coarse 
grass, on the sides of sloping banks, m the bottom of stubs 
of scrubby brushwood in wet situations. It is well con- 
cealed and difficult to discover. I do not believe they ever 
build in holes of trees. The nest is composed on the out- 
side of dead grass and a little moss, and lined with finer 
grass. The eggs from four to six in number, of a uni- 
form greenish blue, eight lines long, and five lines and a 
half in breadth. 
