FICEDULA HYPOLAITS.
Melodious Warbler.

Motacilla hippolais, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 330.
Salicaria italica, De Filippi.
Sylvia ambigua, Durazzo.

—— hippolais, Temm. Man. d’Orn., tom. i. p. 222, and tom. iii. p. 148,

polyglotta, Vieill. Faun. Franc., p. 212, pl. 96. Tomales
Ficedula hypolais, Schlegel, Rev. Crit. des Ois. d’Eur., part 1. p. xxvi.
Sylvia icterina, Gerb.
Hypolais icterina, Deg.
salicaria, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. Pp. 288, Hypolais, Senos

Hippolais icterina, De Sélys-Longchamps.

—— salicaria, Brehm, Handb, der Vog. Deutschl., p- 434.

Tuar a bird so common on the continent of Europe, and especially that portion

of it Opposite to our own
shores, as the Melodious Warbler should not be found more frequently

than it is in this country is one
of those inexplicable circumstances with puzzle all ornithologists. Why, indeed, it should not cross the
Channel, like the other migrants to which it is nearly allied, is inexplicable, since the physical condition
of our islands does not differ from that of the other countries in which it is found, and we have not, I should
Suppose, any want of the kind of insect life essential to the well-being of this highly interesting bird. While
we regret it is not a regular visitant, we must rejoice that it is nevertheless entitled to a place in our fauna
from the circumstance of its having, in two instances, been attracted to our shores during its vernal migration
from Africa to the north,—one being taken in Kent on the 15th of June 1848, and the other in Ireland on
the 8th of the same month in 1856. That more specimens, which have eluded detection, have come among
us there can be no doubt, and it is equally probable that others will continue to do so. On the Continent it
is nowhere more numerous than in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. There its joyous and almost
unsurpassable music may be heard in every garden or thicket that will afford it sufficient shelter. It is
equally abundant in Italy and the warmer portions of Kurope. In all these countries it is a bird of the
summer, and the summer only ; for on the approach of autumn it retires to the hotter climate of Africa,
where it spends the winter.

On a cursory glance it might be supposed that the Meedula hypolais and the Willow-Wrens (Phyllopneuste)
are far too much alike to admit of their being generically separated ; but on a more careful examination it
will be seen that the resemblance is only a seeming one; for while they assimilate in colour, they differ
considerably in their structure—so much so, that all modern naturalists regard them as two distinct forms,
and consequently assign them distinct generic appellations. This view of the case is confirmed by the
difference which is found to exist in the sites chosen for the purpose of nidification, and in the construction
of the nest. All, or nearly all the Phyllopneuste, I believe, build dome-shaped, grassy, hidden nests on or
near the ground, while the breeding-cradles of the present bird and its near alles the Pvcedula polygtotta,
F, pallida, F. elaica, and F. olivetorum are neat cup-shaped structures, placed in trees, shrubs, or in the
garden-hedge.

In volubility the song of the Melodious Warbler is scarcely to be excelled, and migleena possesses
all the cami OF the Chats, with the sweetness of the Blackcap, almost the loudness of he Thrush, and,
unlike that of the Phyllopneuste, it is poured forth both early ae rand frequently during the night.
When disturbed in its retreat, the bird displays a seeming irritability of temper, which, together with its
chidings and scolding, forcibly reminds me of the Sedge Waalilers, These fo on the at ae
of this species are the result of observations made by myselt Ae garden of my late and valued frienc
Temminck, during one of my visits to his country seat ae Lisse, in oe Mi Bully Onna

The following account of this species 1s somewhat freely translated from M. Bailly’s 2 ‘
ao . st thi its us. It only remains here during the

‘*« This is the last of the Fauvettes that visits, and the first hes quits us. only Kae 7 oe!
four best months of the year. It is not until the 8th or 10th of May that it appears 10 our groves, nurseries,
ae eee F ‘ woods which surround them, in sandy places planted with willows and poplars,
ee ed the ae scattered over with high copses, which occur at the foot and
in public promenades, and in the stony Sie See 0 §
about the middle of the southern sides of ‘he SE ale, and is heard from alone ihe 1eih Reem tae

«The male arrives nearly at the same time as the female, and 1s hee

: ac » ir as i sid rable pow ok of imitati Dn, it
S | ry (OU E Taried 5 and 1S the bird has conside € oO
May. Its love-song IS very sweet and varied SC c

st < Pep Si
bre oe NN Bi ee AN ed