t 
RUBY-THROATED WARBLER. 17 
This beautiful Warbler is an inhabitant of India, 
the Philippine Islands, Japan, and other j^arts of the 
eastern world. It is also found in Siberia, Kamtschatka, 
and occasionally in Russia and the Crimea, in conse- 
quence of which it has been introduced into the 
European fauna. According to Blyth, it is common in 
Lower Bengal during the cold season. In Eastern 
Siberia it is found plentifully at Jenisei, Selenga, and 
Angara, where it arrives in May and disappears in 
September. 
It was placed by Temminck among the Accentors, 
but more naturally, I think, by Miihle among the 
Sylvia, and near the Blue-throated Warbler. Its 
long synonymy will shew the contest which has arisen 
in men’s minds as to the rio-ht desimation of this 
O O 
interesting songster. But if a bird which in structure 
and many parts of its plumage closely resembles the 
Nightingale, which, as we are told by Pallas, frequents 
willow bushes, from the top of which, emulating the 
queen of song, it sends forth its glorious notes at 
sunrise, noon, or midnight alike; if, I say, such a bird 
does not deserve to be ranked among the Warblers, 
and to stand high in the well-marked family of Sylvia, 
I cannot understand how we are to make natural 
affinities the bonds or links of classification. 
Of the nidification of S. calliope we know very little. 
Pallas tells us that it builds a careless nest, and that 
its eggs are greenish in colour, and that its call-note 
may be heard as it flies. It is entirely insectivorous. 
Male. — The whole upper part of the body is olive 
green; top of the head, primaries, and tail, umber 
brown tinged with olive; a clear white streak over the 
eyes, and another larger one extending from the base 
of the lower mandible to the middle of the side of 
VOL. II. 
