397 



SYLVIA DESEETICOLA. 



(TRISTRAM'S WARBLER.) 



Sylvia deserticola, Tristram, Ibis, 1859, p. 58. 



Sylvia nana, Heugl. Orn. N.O.-Afr. i. p. 306 (1869, partim). 



Figtira nulla. 



cJ ad. rufescenti-fuscus, intei'scapulio et marginibus alarum nigricantiuru latis castaneis : ciliis oculorurn albis : 

 subtus cinnamoniescenti-albus, lateraliter niagis rufescens : Cauda fusco-nigra, rectricis extimse pogonio 

 externo et pogonii interni parte apicali albis, rectrice secunda albo anguste terminata : mandibula 

 superiore pallide fusca, inferiore citrina : pedibus pallide citrinis : iridibus flavissimis. 



2 ad. omnino pallidior, interscapulio dorso coneolori, et corpore subtus magis albo. 



Adult Male (Wed Nca, Algeria). In general appearance resembling Sylvia conspiciUata ; but the underparts 

 are pale cinnamon, and the chin and throat, instead of being white as in Sylvia conspiciUata, are pale 

 cinnamon with a rufous tinge, and the lores and space below and slightly behind the eye, instead of 

 being blackish, are plumbeoiis ; wing and tail as in Sylvia conspiciUata, but the tail, as a rule, rather 

 longer ; bill brown, the lower mandible yellowish ; iris rich yellow ; legs pale yellowish. Total length 

 about 4 - 5 inches, culmen 0'47, wing 24, tail 2 - 0, tarsus - 75. 



Adult Female (Algeria, 23rd December, 1856). Differs from the female of Sylvia conspiciUata in having the 

 underparts pale cinnamon, and the throat the same colour, and not white. 



This beautiful little Warbler, whicb, so far as I can ascertain, inhabits only the desert portions 

 of Algeria, has by some authors been confused with the Desert-Warbler (Sylvia nana), from 

 which it is very clearly distinct, approaching much more closely to the Spectacled Warbler, of 

 which it appears to be a local form, though sufficiently distinct to be worthy of specific rank. It 

 was first discovered by Canon Tristram, who says (Ibis, 1859, p. 417) that " it is found only in the 

 southern portion of the desert, where it seems partially to take the place of the Spectacled 

 Warbler. I have seen it in localities where I should not have expected to find its congener, on 

 the great plains where there were no shrubs or plants. It differs from the former in the colour 

 of the top of the head, which is rufous instead of ash-colour, and in the throat, neck, breast, 

 and belly, which are of a uniform pale sand-colour, while the Spectacled, besides its whiter chin 

 and dark throat, has a rich vinous tint down the whole of its flanks. Similar as the two birds 

 are in winter dress, I can feel no hesitation as to the distinctness of these species, having 

 frequently obtained both in neighbouring or the same localities at the same time of the year. 

 I was unfortunately unable to visit the haunts of Sylvia deserticola in the breeding-season." 



Beyond the above particulars I find no data on record respecting this Warbler, which is still 

 a very rare species in collections, and of which I have not been able to procure a single skin. 



Dr. Sclater suggests (Ibis, 1859, p. 417, footnote) that Loche's Stoparola deserti (Rev. Zool. 



6q 



