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S P E C T A C L E W A R B L E R .
Curruca conspicillata, Mihi.
Le Bec-fin & lunettes.
T h is elegant little bird, which in form and general style of colouring is so nearly allied to the common White-
throat, Curruca cinerea, is an inhabitant of the southern provinces of Europe. We have seen several specimens,
killed in Spain, where, according to the observation of Capt. S. E. Cook, R.N., (see “ Sketches in Spain,?’
vol. 2. p. 264.) it is far from being uncommon. “ This beautiful little bird,” he observes, “ is stationary in
Andalusia, frequenting low and moist situations, and, 1 suspect, not much extended in their habitats. I found
them in the marshes near Seville, where they live with the C. cinerea, and may easily be mistaken for them.”
In addition to the above authority we have other grounds for stating the close resemblance of its habits and
manners to those of our Whitethroat; and though we have no information as to its song or nidification, it
may be reasonably presumed that in these respects also it exhibits a decided alliance. According to MM. Savi
and Temminck, it is found in Sardinia, where it may be observed in places covered with bushes or wood:
in the North of Italy and France it has never been seen.
The male has the top of the head and cheeks fine ash colour; the space between the eye and the beak
black, whence a circle of the same colour surrounds the white of the eyes; the upper surface vinous ash
colour; the wings blackish, edged with rufous ; throat white; under surface white, tinged with vinous, which
passes into reddish on the flanks ; tail somewhat graduated, and brownish black, with the exception of the
outer feathers, which are nearly white, the second and third being also tipped with the same colour.
The female is only to be distinguished from the male by the paler colouring of the plumage, which still
preserves the markings of the male, except that the circle of black round the eyes is scarcely if at all
apparent.
Our Plate represents an adult male and female of the natural size.
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