109. M e l izo ph il u s pr o v in c ia l is . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LIX.
D a r t fo rd W a r b l e r .
A stationary but very local species in the south o f England, rare in the midland and northern counties,
unknown in Scotland and Ireland. Evinces a preference for heathy lands, particularly those clothing the
greensand; hence it is abundant in some parts o f Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire; while on the Continent,
where this kind o f formation does not exist, it is either scarce o r entirely absent. Is extremely shy and
recluse in its habits. Breeds in May.
“ Are you aware,” says Mr. Gatcombe, in a letter dated Dec. 20, 1868, “ th at the Dartford Warbler is
tolerably common in the furze-brakes near Lyme Regis ? A few days since I had a very nice specimen sent
me in the flesh from that place; and the sender informed me th at he had lately killed five, but the one
forwarded was the only one he could find among the long gorse. What a great pity th at four o f these
interesting birds have been killed and lo s t!”
Genus C u rru ca .
The members o f this genus possess considerable vocal powers, a re more shy o r distrustful in their habits
than the Whitethroats, and are less sprightly in their manners. Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor,
Western India, and China are frequented by the members o f this genus, two o f which visit England during
the months o f summer.
110. C urruca a tr ic a p il la . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LX.
B lackcap.
Winters in North Africa, and migrates to us in April in considerable numbers, which, after spending the
summer and breeding here, wing their way to whence they came. Common all over England, rare in
Scotland and in Ireland. As a songster it almost rivals the Nightingale.
111. C urruca o r ph ea . . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LXI
O rph ea n W a r b l e r .
One specimen a t least has been killed in Britain, for the particulars o f which vide the letterpress opposite
the Plate on which it is figured.
112. C u rruca h o r t en s is . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LXII
G a r d en -W a r b l er .
An unobtrusive and plainly coloured b ird ; has a loud garrulous so n g ; arrives in April, when the nettles
and other herbage are sufficiently dense and the leaves o f the trees sufficiently forward to screen it from
sight. Common in England and the south o f Scotland, but seems to be more rare in the north of that
co u n try ; and in Ireland, according to Thompson, it is extremely so.
Genus T roglodyte s.
In the Old World the northern regions are those th at are principally inhabited by the members o f this
g en u s ; in the New they range from the northern to nearly the southern extremity o f the great continent
o f America. They are pert, lively little birds, which differ from the true Syloiee in many particulars,
rendering it very difficult to assign them a place affinitively in any o f the proposed systems.
113. T r o g l o d y t e s e u r o p 2e u s . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. P I . LXIII.
C ommon W r e n .
As implied in its specific appellation, this bird is a native of Europe, over which it is very generally
dispersed and strictly stationary, inasmuch as it keeps in the vicinity o f its breeding-place from year’s end to
year’s end.
Family CERTHIIDiE.
T he members o f this singular bark-loving family, which are but few in number, frequent the temperate
regions o f both the Old and the New World. Four species inhabit the great Himalaya Mountains ; and of
these some visit the plains o f India, and extend their range eastward to Japan. In America there are two,
which are found in all parts of th at country from the United States to Mexico.
Genus C e r t h ia .
114. C e r t h ia fam il ia r is Vol. II. PI. LXIV.
T r e e - c r e e p e r .
A resident species, generally distributed over the three kingdoms, and braving with apparent impunity
the coldest o f our winters.
Genus P h y l lo pn e u s t e . .
The trivial name o f Leaf-Warblers has o f late years been applied to the members o f this genus, a term
which I regret not having employed in the body o f the work. These delicate birds are so generally dispersed
over the northern and temperate countries o f the Old W orld that they may be regarded as universally diffused.
They are all more o r less migratory, moving backward and forward in accordance with the course o f the
sun. Three species arrive in Britain early in the spring.