CETTI'S WARBLER. 

 Cettia cettii (Marmora). 

 Plate 8. 



This species, distinguished from other European Warblers by having only ten 

 tail feathers instead of twelve, has twice occurred in Sussex, May 1904 and 

 September 1906, the only records in Great Britain. Its home is in Southern 

 Europe and North Africa, ranging eastwards to Central Asia. 



Colonel Irby, describing the breeding habits of Cetti's Warbler, says {The 

 Ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar, 2nd ed., p. 62): "These nests, extremely 

 difficult to find, are built of bits of small sedges, intermingled with willow-cotton, 

 and chiefly lined outside with strips of the stems of the Epilobium, inside with 

 fine grass, a few hairs, and bits of cotton at the top. Those nests built in bushes 

 are chiefly constructed with grass and cotton, and are entirely lined with hair." 



The nest is cup-shaped, and generally contains five eggs, of a beautiful pink 

 colour. 



Its song, though short, is clear and melodious. 

 The sexes are alike in colour. 



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