55 



northern ranges of the Russkij Mountains. In the oasis Nija it breeds in considerable 

 numbers. 



" The autumn migration began in the second half of August in the Tschira oasis, and during 

 the whole of September and early in October they were not unfrequently seen in the woods on 

 the Chotan-Darja. 



" The song of Sylvia minuscula is pleasant. It does not rise up in the air with quivering 

 flight during its song. 



" In the river-valleys it frequents woods and the dry tamarisk-thickets. The specimen 

 obtained on the Chotan-Darja on the 5th October, 1885, was in full moult." 



In habits, song, and mode of nidification this Warbler is said to agree closely with our 

 Lesser Whitethroat. Dr. Stoliczka said (fide Sharpe) that on the 18th of May he found a nest 

 in a rose-bush near Ighiz-Yar. On the 31st of May he writes, "This Warbler is very common 

 and breeding. One nest had one, and another three fresh eggs: one had two half-incubated 

 eggs. The nest is in a small bush about ten inches or a foot above the ground, composed 

 entirely of grass, regularly cup-shaped, round, about 1| inch deep and If in diameter. Outside 

 it consists of moderately coarse grass ; inside of finer grass with a little grass-seed film 

 interwoven." Dr. Stoliczka did not describe the eggs, which are said to resemble those of 

 Sylvia curruca. 



The specimens figured and described are in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have, besides the series in the British Museum, 

 examined the following specimens : — 



JE Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, $ . N.W. of Kotri, Sind, December 17th, 1875 ; b. Upper Sind, March 15th, 1875 ; c. Sind, February 

 1875; d, <$ . Umarhot, Sind, January 23rd, 1876; e, J 1 . Nanshai'o district, Sind, January 6th, 1876; 

 /, $ . Balin-Kelat, Baluchistan, February 23rd, 1872 (W. T. Blanford). g, $ . Sehwan, Sind, January 

 20th, 1880 {TV. E. Brooks). 



