Birds. 1119 



cany, they spread a net for them on fine moonlight nights in October, 

 by which means a vast number of these birds are captured. (See 

 1 Report of the Society of Sciences of Var,' 1838). 



Redwing, Turdus Iliacus. Merle Mauvis, (Temm.) This bird 

 arrives here on its passage northwards in March or the beginning of 

 April, and appears again on its southward passage about the middle 

 of October, or later. It is seen in small flocks, and I cannot find that 

 it stays here during the winter. 



Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus. Merle a plastron blanc, (Buff on). 

 This bird is always seen early in the spring. It has been observed 

 towards the end of February ; on one occasion it was seen as late as 

 the 15th of April. The cold of November brings it back to us regu- 

 larly. None remain with us during winter, not even on the shores of 

 the Mediterranean, or in the neighbouring islands ; so that among all 

 the birds of this tribe which are sent from Corsica every winter to 

 Toulon and Marseilles, by thousands, we do not find one ring ouzel 

 before the end of February. 



Blackbird, Turdus Merula. Le Merle noir, {Temm.) Some black- 

 birds come in October ; the cold weather brings them in great num- 

 bers : the greater part remain stationary on the shores, or else reach 

 the isles of the Mediterranean. They are attracted by the fruit of the 

 myrtle, which fattens them and gives them an exquisite flavour. Ear- 

 ly in the spring they return northwards ; some, however, nestle in the 

 centre of Provence. 



Turdus cyaneus. Stationary in Provence all the year. I have been 

 told that some migrate in the autumn, but the accounts are unsatis- 

 factory. 



Turdus saxatilis. Arrives in numbers in April, the numbers are 

 lessened in the autumnal migration. It is thought that they travel 

 westward. 



Sylvia turdoides. Bee fin rousserolle [Temm.) La Grosso, Proven- 

 c,al. Arrives from the 8th of March to the 18th of April; departs 

 from the 15th of September till the 20th of October. 



Grasshopper Warbler, Sylvia locustella. Its arrival seems to con- 

 tinue during the whole of the spring, and its departure during the 

 whole of the autumn. 



Sedge-warbler, Sylvia Phragmitis. 



Reed-warbler, Sylvia arundinacea. Bee fin des roseaux, {Temm.) 



Sylvia paludicola. 



Sylvia palustris. 



Same observations as under Sylvia locustella, except that S. Phrag- 



