The WHITE-BEARDED WARBLER (_Curruca leucopogon_) is one of the most
attractive members of this family; the entire upper portion of the body
is of a beautiful dark grey, the under side greyish white, the throat
bright rust-red, adorned with a narrow white line, which passes from
the base of the beak to the shoulders; the reddish eye is surrounded
by a circle of red feathers, while those over the ears are brown; the
quills and tail-feathers are dark brown, the outer web of the exterior
tail-feathers being partially white, and the inner web decorated with a
triangular white spot; the other feathers are merely edged with white,
the eyelid is light red, the beak greyish black, the upper mandible
tipped with reddish grey; the foot is also of the latter shade. The
females and young are similarly coloured, but are without the red
feathers on the throat. This species is four inches and three-quarters
long, and six inches and three-quarters broad; the wing measures two
inches and a quarter, and the tail two inches and one-sixth.
The White-bearded Warblers inhabit the dwarf woods of oleanders,
evergreens, cistus, and elm that clothe some of the mountainous districts
of Southern Europe and North-western Africa. Within and around these
bosky retreats they seek their favourite insect fare with the mouse-like
movements that characterise their family; but, unlike the species above
mentioned, they are at little pains to conceal themselves at the approach
of a stranger, and are generally to be seen perching in pairs upon the
outer branches of their favourite shrubs, whilst they carry on their
chase, now darting into the air to snap up a passing insect, now diving
within the foliage to seize an unlucky beetle or caterpillar, as it takes
its morning walk upon the leaves. The nest of this species is thicker
and much more neatly constructed than those already described; the four
or five eggs that form a brood have a dirty white shell, spotted with
yellowish brown and olive green; the markings generally form a wreath at
the broad end.