423 



D 



p. 125) that in 1852 a male, in good condition, was killed in Norfolk as late as the 22nd of 

 December. 



It is found in Scandinavia, being in Norway, Mr. R. Collett informs me, tolerably widely 

 distributed, though somewhat rare. It is found in all the southern and western districts, and as 

 far north as the Trondhjems fiord, where, as also in the Orkedale, it has been found breeding. 

 On the fells it occasionally passes above the conifer-growth. Nilsson says that it is generally, 

 though not numerously, distributed throughout Sweden, from Skane to the most northerly 

 districts, arriving late in April and leaving late in September or early in October. In Finland 

 it is a rare bird, and, Von Wright says, is occasionally seen near Helsingfors during the autumn 



O 



passage. It has been observed in Abo Lan, near Kuopia, and between Uleaborg and Tornea. 

 It was met with by Mr. Meves in Russia, and was common at Ladeinopol, Wiutegra, and 

 Kargopol. Mr. Sabanaeff says that it is much more numerous in the Government of Moscow 

 than in that of Jaroslaf. In the Ural it is not uncommon ; but he did not observe it further 

 north than Ekaterinburg. Throughout the whole of Germany it is a common and generally 

 distributed summer visitant, being, however, Borggreve states, commoner in the west than in 

 the east; and in Denmark it is, Kjserbolling writes, neither common nor yet rare during the 

 summer from April or early in May to the end of September. In Holland, Belgium, and in 

 France it is very common ; Degland and Gerbe say that it is only met with during passage in 

 the north of France, where it occurs in April and in September, but in the south of France it 

 remains throughout the winter ; but Messrs. Jaubert and Barthelemy-Lapommeraye say nothing 

 about its being resident there, but merely state that some arrive from the north even as late as 

 December. 



In Portugal it is said to be common; but Dr. E. Rey writes (J. f. O. 1872, p. 149) that he 

 only once observed it at Barreiro, on the 23rd March, but he did not meet with it in Algarve. 

 In Spain, Colonel Irby states, " it is to be seen during every month in the year, but is, of course, 

 most common in February and October;" Mr. Saunders also observed it during passage; and 

 Von Homeyer records it as found in the Balearic Islands, where, however, it is not common. 

 Lord Lilford, in a note to me respecting the present species, says, " I found great numbers of 

 Blackcaps in the markets of Marseilles and Cannes in November 1874 and January 1875, and 

 have every reason to believe that many winter in Southern France. Common about Naples in 

 February, and about Catania and Syracuse in March and April. Tolerably common in Cyprus 

 in April and May of this year (1875)." Bailly says that in Savoy it is common as high as the 

 pine-woods extend, and he found it up to from 1400 to 1800 metres above the sea-level. 

 Throughout Italy and Sicily it is said to be common at all seasons, many remaining there 

 throughout the winter; and in Sardinia, Mr. A. B. Brooke writes (Ibis, 1873, p. 241), it is 

 " common and abundant, arriving in considerable numbers in spring in Sardinia. I think a few 

 remain in favourite localities all the winter, as I have seen them early in March, long before the 

 arrival of any species of Sylviidse. They are very partial to olive-groves." In Malta it appears 

 only to occur during passage and in winter; Mr. Wright says (Ibis, 1864, p. 67), it "has been 

 observed in January, February, and March, as well as in September and October. I shot two 

 males in February 1859 and a female the following March. Two were taken in October 1858, 

 and one or two others in October 1860. One was obtained in Gozo in January 1861; and 



