154 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



parts of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, migrating southwards in 

 winter. They are part of the Calamoherpinm of Bonaparte, and 

 of the Sylviina of Gray. One only is known to breed on the 

 plains, and one on the Hills ; but the last species recorded are 

 probably permanent residents on the Himalayas. Their feet are 

 less fitted for terrestrial habits than those of the last sub-families. 

 They approximate the Wren-warblers by Iloreites, and also Phyl- 

 lopneuste and Phylluscopus through Ilorornis, and the smaller 

 Acrocephali. 



Gen. Acrockphalus, Naumann. 

 Syn. Calamoherpe, Boie. 

 Char. — Bill Thrush-like, moderate or rather long, straight, very 

 slightly deflected and notched ; a few short, but stout, rictal bris- 

 tles ; wings moderately long, somewhat pointed, ] st quill minute, 

 3rd and 4th about equal and longest ; tail rounded, of moderate 

 length ; tarsus somewhat lengthened, feet moderate, claws long, 

 slightly curved, hind claw much curved. 



515. Acrocephalus brunnescens, Jerdon. 



Agrobates, apud Jerdon, Cat. 113 — Blyth, Cat., 1078 — 

 Hoksf. Cat. 515 — Malacocircus abnormis, Hodgson — A. arundi- 

 naceus, apud Blyth, olim — Bora-jitta, Tel. 



The Large Reed-Warbler. 



Descr. — Above light olive-brown, darkest on the wings and tail, 

 and lightest ou the rump ; beneath, and eyebrow, with a tinge of 

 olive-yellow; the chin pure white; wings and tail beneath cinere- 

 ous ; plumage soft and silky. 



Bill dark brown, fleshy at base beneath ; legs horny brown ; 

 irides dull greenish yellow. Length 8^ inches ; wing 3f ; tail 3^; 

 bill at front T 7 n ; tarsus 1 T % ; extent lOf . Female somewhat 

 smaller. 



This species is very similar to the European A. ariindi- 

 naceus, or Sylvia turdoides, Temm., but differs in being something 

 smaller, in the first long primary being 3- 16th shorter than the 

 next, and the 3rd, if any thing, longer than the 2nd, whereas in 

 the European analogue the 1st long primary is, if any thing, 



