MARMORA’S WARBLER.

Curruca Sarda.

Le Bec-fin Sarde.

In his ‘“‘ Manuel d’Ornithologie” M. Temminck informs us that we owe the knowledge of this species to the
Chevalier Marmora, and that it was described “in the Annals of the Academy of Turin, on the 28th of August
1819. In its plumage and by the naked circle round the eyes, it is nearly allied to the Sylvia melanocephala,
from which it is distinguished by its beak being more feeble and slender, like that of the Pitichou. Tt may
also be distinguished by the tail, of which only the exterior feathers are edged with white, whilst in the Bec-
fin melanocephala all the exterior barbs and the ends of the two first feathers are white. The colour of the
throat also prevents these nearly allied species from being confounded.”

In addition to the features pointed out by M. Temminck to distinguish this bird from Curruca melanocephala,
we may observe that in the latter the black colouring of the head is more decided and of a deeper tint than
in Curruca Sarda, which has the whole of the upper plumage of a uniform blackish grey.

Although this bird is somewhat rare, it may be found in most of the European collections; and from the cir-
cumstance of our never having observed it in any of the numerous and extensive collections from India and
Africa which we have had the opportunity of examining, we feel convinced that it is a very local species, appa-
rently only found in Sardinia and the most eastern portions of the Continent.

It is said to dwell in small woods, and to feed on very small flies and other insects, which attach themselves
to the leaves.

Of its nidification nothing is known.

Tn the colouring of their plumage the sexes present but a slight difference, the male being only of a some-
what darker tint, particularly on the throat and under surface.

The head, throat, and all the upper surface is of a deep blackish grey, which is darkest on the forehead
and round the eyes, the sides of the neck and flanks being much lighter, and having a tinge of vinous ; middle
of the belly greyish white tinged with vinous ; wings and tail black, the exterior feathers of the latter edged
with white; the orbits of the eyes naked and of a beautiful vermilion; base of the under mandible yellow,
the remainder blue; feet yellowish brown.

We have figured a male and female of the natural size.