640 



blackish brown ; sides of the neck greyish brown ; a whitish streak passes over the eye ; xvnderparts 

 dull white, the chin, central throat, and centre of the abdomen pure white, breast washed with greyish ; 

 flanks, crissum, and under tail-coverts brownish grey ; wing graduated, the first primary rather short, 

 being 063 shorter than the second, the second - 35 shorter than the third, the third only a trifle, say 

 about - 06, shorter than the fourth and fifth, which are the longest; tail much graduated, and con- 

 sisting of ten rectrices only; bill brown; iris nut-brown; legs light brown. Total length about 5 - 25 

 inches, culmen 055, wing 235, tail 2 - 55, tarsus 09. 



Adult Female ( Acarnania) . Undistinguishable from the male in plumage. 



Young (Smyrna, 28th July). Resembles the adult ; but the plumage is laxer, and the upper parts, flanks, and 

 under tail-coverts are much duller in colour. 



This bird, peculiar amongst our European Warblers in having only ten tail-feathers, is only 

 found in Southern Europe and North Africa, and in Asia as far east as Turkestan. 



Owing to a confusion with Locustclla luscinioides, it was recorded by Temminck as having 

 occurred in Great Britain ; but this is not the case, for it does not appear to have ever been met 

 with so far north. It is stated by Professor Barboza du Bocage to occur in Portugal ; but he 

 gives no further particulars. In Spain it is found at all seasons of the year, and, judging from 

 the numbers of nests and eggs sent from there, it cannot but be common ; and Colonel Irby 

 writes (Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 93) that in Southern Spain " wherever there are thick bushes (generally 

 bramble-brakes close to water) Cetti's Warbler is to be heard. Perhaps many migrate ; but 

 at Casa Vieja they are quite as common during the winter months as at any other season, and, 

 somewhat like our own Kobin, may be heard singing at all times." Mr. A. von Homeyer met 

 with it at the Prat, in Majorca, but not on Minorca, and states that it is very common in the 

 former locality. It is also to be met with in the south of France, especially in Provence, in the 

 vicinity of streams, and is stated to be numerous in winter in the lower portion of the Camargue. 

 In liOinbardy, Venice, and the north of Italy it is merely of accidental occurrence; but in 

 suitable localities in Liguria, Tuscany, and the Campagna it is resident and tolerably numerous. 

 In Sicily it is abundant, and stationary, as also in the island of Sardinia; and Mr. C. Bygrave 

 Wharton informs me that it is " very common in all the swamps on both sides of the island of 

 Corsica." It does not appear to have been met with in Malta; but Captain Sperling records it 

 from Butrinto ; and Dr. Kriiper says that it is found in all portions of Greece and Macedonia 

 where there is abundance of water, and is even met with in the bush-shaded streamlets in the 

 mountains. It is everywhere a resident, and breeds twice in the year, the first clutch of eggs 

 being deposited late in April. It is also said to be resident in the Cyclades. In Asia Minor it 

 appears also to be common, and resident; and Canon Tristram met with it in Palestine. It 

 appears to be found in North-east Africa; for although Dr. von Heuglin did not bring any spe- 

 cimens from Egypt, he says that he frequently saw it in Lower Egypt, and usually in corn-fields 

 and Arundo-thickets ; but Captain Shelley did not meet with it there. It is, however, resident 

 and by no means uncommon in North-west Africa. Loche states that it is abundant throughout 

 the year in Algeria. Mr. J. II. Gurney, jun., speaks of it as being found in woods and gardens, 

 but always near a ditch, and says that even in February it may be heard singing from the heart 

 of a bramble-bush ; and Mr. Taczanowski states (J. f. O. 1870, p. 46) that he met with it amongst 



