vieillot's willow waebler. 61 



always longer by two-fiftlis of an inch or more, than 

 that of S. Mppolais, and it consequently reaches beyond 

 the middle of the tail, and the first primary is equal 

 in length to the third: and these distinctions are 

 constant both in male and female. 



Sylvia icterina is found, according to M. Gerbe, in 

 France, Belgium, Austria, Sardinia, Liguria, and pro- 

 bably in a great part of Italy and Sicily. It has been 

 captured in the neighbourhood of Genes, and was 

 found plentifully by M. Gerbe, not only at Nice but 

 in the valleys on the shores of the Mediterranean. It 

 has also been captured in breeding-plumage by L' Abbe 

 Cairo, in the neighbourhood of Moustiers, in the Basses 

 Alps. In the "Kevue Zoologique" for 1847, M. de 

 Selys-Longchamps says that it is very common in 

 Belgium, particularly in Liege and Brabant; and he 

 gives the following dates of its first appearance in that 

 country for six years: — In 1841, May 4th.; 1842, May 

 12th.; 1843, May 17th.; 1844, May 15th.; 1845, May 

 14th.; 1846, May 11th. "It loves," continues this 

 writer, "to occupy damp groves and willow plantations 

 near the water. It is also very common in the dry 

 hills planted with vines and fruit trees, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Liege. Even the smallest garden in Liege 

 has its annual nest, and during the months of May, 

 June, and July, the male sings constantly a varied and 

 powerful song, somewhat like that of Sylvia palustris, 

 but livelier and more gay. It also imitates the Green- 

 finch, the call-notes of the Chimney Swallow, the 

 Golden Oriole, and the Woodchat Shrike. Its usual 

 call-note is similar to that of the other Wood Warblers. 

 It loves warmth, and without doubt passes the winter 

 in southern countries, for it leaves in August, and 

 those in captivity appear to suffer much from cold. 



