PLATE CL. 



Dn Latham, its original defciiber, alTigns no latin fpecific ap-* 

 peilatlon to the Greater Pettychaps, in the firft inftance,' as he 

 efleemed it only a variety of the Fauvette of Briflbn. In the Index of 

 the Britlfti birds, contained in the Supplement, it is, however, diftin- 

 guifhed as a new fpecies by the name o{ Simplex ; but after that time, 

 the opinion of Dr. Latham was again changed, for in thelndex Ornitho- 

 logicus, which fucceeded the former mentioned Supplement, it is 

 determined to be new only as a Britifh bird, and no other than a 

 variety of the Linnsean fpecies^ Motacilla Hortenfis. 



As the hiftory of this bird became better known, the fpecies wa» 

 obferved in other parts befides the vicinity of Lancafhire. But it was 

 rather heard than feen : its extreme fliynefs, added to the difficulty of 

 penetrating the deep thickets where it ufually remains concealed, fe- 

 curing it from the infrufion of all, except the more inquifitive, or 

 impertinently curious. Its fong is peculiar, and as this cannot fail 

 to excite attention, from the fweetnefs, melody, and brifknefs, as 

 well as compafs of its notes, the fituation of its hiding place is often- 

 times betrayed. By this means its vifits to the more fouthern coun-* 

 ties of Britain have been afcertained in the months of April and May, 

 and as far weftward as Devonfhire in June. The fpecies is certainly 

 local. Mr. Montagu obferved it frequently between the eaftern 

 parts of Somerfetfhire, and no where more abundant than between 

 Spalding and Bollon in the latter mentioned county, where it occurs 

 even in the few hedges about the village of Wainfleet, and in the 

 thickets furrounding the decoys of the fens in that neighbourhood* 

 Commonly, however, their haunts are in more retired fituations^. 

 The note, which is by fome authors, compared with the whiflle of a 

 blackbird ; in the opinion of others, is little inferior to that of the 



nightingale ; 



