5 02 
PERCHING BIRDS. 
Fan-Tail Another group is represented by the fan-tailed warbler (Cisticola 
Warblers. cursitans ), which is one of the smallest of the European reed-warblers, 
and is easily recognised by its curved beak and fan-shaped tail. It appears to 
reside all the year through in many parts of the Mediterranean countries, constantly 
frequenting swampy grounds, and obtaining its food near water. 
The members of the genus Accentor possess a fairly strong bill. 
Accentors 0 »/ o 7 
broad at the base, with a nearly straight culmen, about half the 
length of the head; the wings being long and pointed, and the tail nearly square. 
The legs and feet are strong and generally adapted to progression over rocks 
and rough surfaces; while the plumage is generally dark brown, varied with 
rufous. Belonging to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, the accentors 
usually inhabit mountain ranges, although the hedge-sparrow frequents bushes 
and scrub. Common among the mountains of Europe, the Alpine • accentor 
Cetti’s warbler is resident throughout the year. It sings in every month, and it 
is somewhat startling in winter to hear a loud and abrupt burst of song, resembling 
that of a nightingale, from a thick bush. The adult male has the upper-parts rich 
russet-brown; the eye stripe is greyish white, but indistinct; the wings and tail 
are dark russet-brown; the chin and throat are white, shading into ashy grey on 
the sides of the breast, and into brownish grey on the flanks and upper tail-coverts. 
To the same group belongs the Australian pheasant-tailed warbler (Stipiturus 
riudacurus), distinguished by the elongation and peculiar structure of the three 
central pairs of tail-feathers. 
PHEASANT-TAILED WARBLER. 
