3 
Mr. A. von Homeyer states that it is common in the Balearic Islands, especially in Majorca, 
where he found it less numerous in the marshes of Albufera and on the Prat than in the corn- 
fields, in which localities he met with it near Palma, not far from the coast. In Minorca he 
frequently observed it near Port Mahon in the corn-, tobacco-, and hemp-fields in a very moun- 
tainous locality, which, he says, rather surprised him. In Italy it is said by Salvadori to be 
found in the Roman territory, Tuscany, Modena, Liguria, and Lombardy, not so commonly in 
Piedmont and Venetia, and common and resident in Sicily and Sardinia, but not found in Malta. 
Mr. C. Bygrave Wharton met with it in Corsica; and Mr. A. B. Brooke, referring to its occur- 
rence in Sardinia, says that he found it extremely numerous about the large marshy swamps in 
the neighbourhood of Oristano, where they breed; and it is, he adds, to be found, but more 
sparingly, in all suitable localities. 
In Greece, Dr. Kriiper says, it is found throughout all swampy districts, and is to be met 
with at all seasons of the year. In Acarnania he observed it in the wheat-fields. It raises two, 
or even three, broods in the year. It is also resident in the Cyclades. 
I do not find it recorded from Southern Germany or Turkey; but it appears to be common 
and is said to be resident in Asia Minor. Canon Tristram says (Ibis, 1867, p. 77), it “ rejoices in 
the moist maritime plains of Palestine, where we found it all the year round, starting up from 
the long grass in front of our horses, jerking up in the air for a few seconds as it rapidly repeated 
its single note pink, pink, and then dropping suddenly again, when it was very difficult to put it 
up a second time.” 
In Africa it has a very wide distribution. Captain Shelley speaks of it as being one of the 
most abundant birds in Egypt and Nubia; and Von Heuglin writes (Ibis, 1869, p. 133) as 
follows:—“'This species is a permanent resident in Egypt, Nubia, and Northern Arabia, goes 
southwards to Abyssinia, and probably also to Sennaar, and certainly does not live among sedges, 
but chiefly in clover- and wheat-fields, in meadows and acacia and date-palm thickets, especially 
when these are overgrown by climbing plants and grass, in gardens, and also far from the 
cultivated land, close upon the borders of the desert.” It is, according to Messrs. Layard: and 
Sharpe, found down to South Africa. It occurs in Algeria, where Canon Tristram and Mr. 
Taczanowski met with it; and Baron J. W. von Miller, who found it near Philippeville, 
Constantine, Bone, &c., separates the Algerian species from our European bird under the name 
of Cisticola arquata on account of its curved bill; but I cannot think that this distinction holds 
good. According to Favier (fide Col. Irby, Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 91) “this is the most common of 
the aquatic Warblers around Tangier, and is seen migrating in lots of from ten to twelve during 
March and April, returning in October, November, and December. Many remain to breed, 
nesting twice in the season.” It is found in many parts of West Africa. Mr. Ussher sent 
specimens from the Volta; and it was obtained by Du Chaillu at Cape Lopez and on the 
Camma river. Mr. Andersson says (B. of Damara L. p. 88) that it came under his notice in 
Great Namaqua Land in about 24° or 25° S. lat., and he also met with it abundantly in Southern 
Damara Land, and obtained it in Ondongo, and it was most common at some large waters on 
the Omaruru river. Specimens from Damara Land were, he adds, of a lighter tint than those 
from Ondonga. Messrs. Layard and Sharpe (B. of 8. Afr. 2nd ed. p. 276) say that it was found 
abundantly by Mr. Atmore in the George District, in 8. Africa, by Major Bulger at Wind- 
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