1897.] Bknson. — The Iderine Warbler, 119 



seems of a pale yellow. The other side of his hedge is a swampy cover of 

 furze, willow, rushes, and young spruces, where I have searched unsuc- 

 cessfully for the nest, which no doubt is there. In my opinion our little 

 warbler is no other than the Icterine Warbler." 



It will thus be seen that some obsen-ers think that Mr. See- 

 bolim, doubtless a host in himself, has rather underrated and 

 that Mr. Aplin has not heard this remarkable bird at its best. 

 It is to be hoped that he may have opportunities of hearing it 

 again this year, and I shall look out with much interest for 

 any remarks from him. In a letter I received last month 

 from Mr. H. N. Pashley, Naturalist, of Cley-next-the-Sea, 

 Norfolk, he says that an Icterine Warbler was taken there 

 on 8th September, 1896, by Mr. R. Gurney, of Sproston Hall. 

 Another had been taken in 1894 near Cley by a I^ondon 

 gentleman. May we not hope for further tidings of this 

 remarkable bird in 1897? 



An interesting account, and an excellent coloured plate of 

 the Icterine Warbler may be found in '* A Chapter on Birds, 

 Rare British Visitors," by Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, of the 

 Zoological Department, British Museum. I cannot help 

 feeling sorry, however, that he has called the bird the 

 " Common Tree Warbler," instead of perpetuating its good 

 old name of the Icterine Warbler derived from the I^atin and 

 Greek " Icterus," meaning : (i) " The Yellow Jaundice," (2) 

 *' A Yellow Bird, which if one see, being sick of the yellow 

 jaundice, the person recovers, but the bird dieth." Can there 

 be a stronger testimony to its vocal powers, and their dis- 

 interested exercise than this ? 



I trust that some of my readers may be successful in hearing 

 this sweet songster in Ireland this 3^ear, for to me it will 

 always be the sweetest of birds, and should they do so, will at 

 once apprize me of the fact, that I may hasten gladly to the 

 favoured spot. 



A2 



