The ORPHEUS WARBLER (_Curruca Orphea_), the European species next in
size to that above described, is six inches and a half long, and nine
and a quarter broad; the wing measures three inches, and the tail two
inches and three quarters. The female is two lines smaller than her
mate. The entire upper part of the back is dark grey, shaded with
brown, the top of the head and nape are brown or greyish black, the
sides of the breast light rust-red, the rest of the under-side is
white; the quills and tail-feathers are blackish brown, the outer web
of the exterior tail-feathers white, as is also a conical spot on the
extremity of the inner web and on the tip of the feathers next in order.
The eye is light yellow, the upper mandible quite black, and the bare
circle around the eyes bluish grey. The female is paler than her mate,
particularly about the region of the head. This species inhabits the
south of Europe, and only occasionally wanders to the central portions
of other continents. Some writers are of opinion that it remains in
Greece throughout the entire year, but this statement we are satisfied,
from our own observation, is incorrect; there, as in other southern
countries of Europe, they generally appear about April, and migrate to
Central Africa and India at the beginning of autumn. Jerdon tells us
that they are numerously met with in Southern India during the winter,
and we have ourselves seen them at that season in Africa, near the Blue
River. Unlike the generality of Warblers, these birds usually frequent
trees rather than underwood or bushes, and especially delight in groves
of figs and olives, or pine forests. Throughout all the well-watered and
highly-cultivated districts of their native lands they are by no means
rare, but are seldom seen in the vicinity of mountains. Their voice is
loud, sonorous, and agreeable. The nest of this species is usually placed
in full view, upon the bough of a tree, and is somewhat thicker and more
substantially constructed than that of most other Warblers; the interior
is variously lined, occasionally with delicate fibrils of grape-vines or
similar materials. Thienenmann mentions an instance in which fish-scales
were, strangely enough, employed for this purpose. The brood consists of
five glossy eggs, of a delicate white or greenish-white colour, spotted
with violet grey or yellowish brown; the latter spots are sometimes
entirely wanting. The female alone broods, while her mate sits upon a
neighbouring tree or branch, and cheers her labours with a constant flow
of song. The young are tended by both parents for some time after they
are fully fledged, and go forth alone into the world immediately after
the first moulting season.
The following notice of the occurrence of this species in Yorkshire may
be found in the "Zoologist" for 1849, from the pen of Sir William Milner,
of Nunappleton:--"The species was a female, and was observed in company
with its mate for a considerable time before it was shot. The other bird
had a black head, and the description I received left no doubt on my
mind that it was a male _Sylvia Orphea_. The bird obtained, of which I
send you a description, was shot in a small plantation near the town of
Wetherby, on the 6th of July, 1848, and had the appearance of having been
engaged in incubation, from the state of the plumage." "Mr. Graham, a
bird preserver of York," continues Sir W. Milner, "hearing that a very
uncommon bird had been shot, went over to Wetherby, and fortunately
obtained the specimen for my collection. This bird had the beak black and
very strong; the whole upper part of the plumage dark ash-coloured brown;
the outer feather of the tail white; the second on each side edged with
dirty white, the rest of a brownish black; chin dirty white; throat and
belly brownish white; under surface of the wings and vent light brown;
legs very strong, toes and claws black. The whole length six inches three
lines."