THE ICTERINE WARBLER. 

 Hypolais icterina (Vieillot). 

 Plate 7. 



The first example of the Icterine Warbler was shot at Eythorne, near Dover, 

 on June 15, 1848. 



Since that date about twenty others have been recorded in Great Britain. 

 In summer this species is found over the greater part of Europe, and it winters 

 in Africa. 



The well-built, cup-shaped nest is placed in a tree or bush, and is composed 

 of grasses, wool, moss, &c., with a lining of hair. 



According to Seebohm {British Birds, vol. i. p. 383): "The eggs are four 

 or five in number, very rarely six. They are brownish pink in ground-colour, 

 evenly spotted and more rarely streaked with very dark purplish brown, which 

 occasionally approaches black." 



Describing the song he says : " It has great power, wonderful variety, and 

 considerable compass, but is singularly deficient in melody." 



This bird feeds on insects, fruit, and berries. 



It is closely related to the Melodious Warbler, but is slightly larger and 

 rather brighter in colour, whilst the wing is longer in proportion to the tail. 

 The bastard primary is also smaller. 



In colour the female resembles the male. 



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