RÜPPELL'S WARBLER (_Curruca Rüppellii_) is of a dark grey on the upper
parts of its body, and white beneath; the sides are shaded with grey, the
rest of the under side with a reddish tinge; the head and entire throat
are deep black, the cheek-stripes ash grey, and a streak that passes from
the base of the beak and divides the black throat from the breast is pure
white. The quills and feathers of the smaller wing-covers are brownish
black, the latter bordered with white; the centre tail-feathers are
black; the second, third, and fourth marked with white on the inner web,
and those at the exterior are entirely white. The eye is light brown, the
beak horn-colour, and the feet red. This species is five inches and a
half long, and eight and a half broad; the wing measures eight inches and
a half. The female is smaller and paler than her mate.
We are almost entirely without particulars as to the life of this bird,
except that it inhabits South-eastern Europe, and usually frequents the
bushes that grow in sandy or barren districts. It is numerously met with
in Palestine, Asia Minor, and the islands of the Red Sea. We have also
seen it in Egypt, though it usually only visits that country during the
migratory season.