392 



and 20th March, and is found singly and in pairs in low bushes on the dunes and in the heaths, 

 in the hedges, and especially in Arundo thickets, and is also seen in the barley-fields and 

 amongst the steppe-grass. We never observed it in the denser thickets, tall bushes, or in the 

 trees ; but it moves about amongst the bushes like a Willow- Warbler, searching after insects. 

 It seldom goes on to the ground, and leaves its favourite haunts most unwillingly; for its flight 

 is low and weak. Its call-note is a low harsh call, schacken. It only remains in the Delta 

 eight or ten days during passage, and is rarer in the autumn than in the spring. I once 

 observed it at Kordofan on the 10th November." It also inhabits North-western Africa, and 

 is said by Loche to be found throughout Algeria as far as the Sahara ; and Favier states that it 

 occurs near Tangier on passage in March and April, and again in October. It inhabits the 

 Canaries, being, Dr. C. Bolle writes (J. f. O. 1S57, p. 282), "common all over Canada on the 

 coasts, even on the hills and plains between Las Palmas and the isthmus of the Guanarteme, 

 and in the country covered with bushes (for instance, in Barranco seco) ; it is also very common 

 in the south-eastern portion of the island, in the vicinity of Arguineguin." Both Mr. Godinan 

 and Dr. Bolle say that it is found in Teneriffe. 



In habits the present species much resembles the Spectacled Warbler, being like that bird 

 a frequenter of rough bush-covered localities, and somewhat shy and difficult to shoot. I find 

 but little of interest recorded respecting its habits, beyond what is given above. Von der Miihle 

 says that it creeps through the dense foliage like a Wren, and that one may follow it by its call- 

 note for half an hour without being able to get a shot at it. Dr. Bolle states that its call-note 

 resembles the syllables err, err, and that when singing it flutters above the twig on which it has 

 been perched, on to which it again drops when its song is ended. 



Its nest is placed in a low dense bush, close to the ground, and is constructed of dried 

 i^rass-bents, lined with fine roots and sometimes a little plant-cotton. 



Eggs of the present species in my collection, obtained by Dr. Th. Kriiper, most closely 

 resemble richly coloured and dark-spotted varieties of the Dartford Warbler's eggs, which have 

 the ground-colour white ; but one of the eggs has a faint greyish red tinge. In size they are 

 similar to those of the Dartford Warbler. 



The specimens figured are the adult male and female above described, and are in my 

 collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. II E. Dresser. 



a, $ . Olympus, Macedonia, March 9th, 1870 (Dr. Kriiper). b, 6. Smyrna, May 3rd, 1871. c, $. Smyrna, 

 June 24th, 1871 (Dr. Kriiper). d, tf, e, 2. Nile delta, April 1st, 1863 (S. Stafford Allen). 



E Mus. G. E. Shelley, 

 a. b, 6 ■ Tangier, March 1873 (G. E. S.). c, $ . Delta of the Nile, March 28th, 1871 (G. E. S.). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 



a, <J ad. Near Valencia, Spain, May 2nd (H. S.). b, 6 , c, $ . Genoese Riviera, d, 6 ad. Palermo, May 

 (Doder/ein). 



