46 BONELLl's WARBLER. 



wings reacli to half the length of tail; first quill longer than the 

 sixth, and equal to the fifth; the second longest. Tail brownish 

 grey, with fifteen dark shaded bands crossing it; feet light brown 

 or grey. 



Length of an adult male sent me by M. E. Verreaux, four inches 

 and a half; carpus to tip two inches and a half. Tail two inches. 

 Tarsus eight-tenths of an inch. Female about same. 



This pretty little Warbler, tlie congener of our "Willow 

 Wren and ChiiF Chaff, lias a wide range in the south 

 of Europe. It is found in Spain, in the south of 

 France being common in Proyence, in Italy, Switzerland, 

 the Tyrol, and Salzbourg. It has occurred in the Crimea, 

 and a single specimen is stated by Gloger to have been 

 captured in Central Germany. It is included in Cap- 

 tain Loche's Catalogue of the Birds of Algeria, and, as 

 Count Miihle remarks, would probably be found farther 

 north, were it not often mistaken for the other Willow 

 Wrens. It passes the winter in Arabia and Egypt. It 

 does not appear to have been found in Greece. 



The term Laubsanger, given to this group by the 

 German naturalists, refers to their similarity in colour 

 to the foliage of large trees, which they affect much more 

 than bushes or shrubs. Bonelli's Warbler is found 

 generally inhabiting wood-covered hills, preferring alders, 

 larches, and hazels, to all other trees. Like the other 

 Willow Wrens, it is also found frequently in gardens, 

 and I have no doubt like them feasts upon the fruit. 

 It is also often found on the banks of rivers. 



It is a very cautious bird, and easily frightened, and 

 then is very shy; but if unmolested it will approach 

 dwelling-houses fearlessly. 



The song is described by Count Miihle as the most 

 monotonous of all the Laubsiingers. It builds its nest 

 in more exposed situations than its congeners, and 



