1883-84-] Edinburgh Naturalists Field Chib. 147 



beautiful rose-coloured hue, but it is noticeable that after death this 

 fades to a great extent, therefore in stuffed specimens the proper 

 plumage is not retained. The male throws a vast deal of energy and 

 pith into his singing, whether in self-gratification, or with a desire to 

 appear fascinating in the eyes of his female partner, is a problem 

 scarcely worth our while attempting to solve — a combination of both 

 these influences, along with a spirit of rivalry, being perhaps the real 

 incentive to such vivacious action. There is one peculiarity about 

 the Whitethroat that, so far as I am aware, does not pertain to any 

 of the other Warblers, which is, that very often, while flirting about 

 the bushes, he ascends abruptly, with a strange circular movement, 

 for a few yards into the air, as if actuated by some sudden impulse, 

 and Avhile performing this evolution sings lustily until the descent 

 is made. Likewise, in watching the bird steadily, it may be seen 

 hopping from twig to twig, or ferreting its way among the intricacies 

 of the hedge and undergrowth, shaking its tail and wings, erecting 

 the feathers on the crown of the head, and all the while rattling 

 away with an evident sense of enjoyment. The song, of which there 

 is full measure "heaped up and overflowing," is more curious than 

 beautiful, there being an absence of the mellow clear ring that is the 

 predominant feature of the last two species. With reference to the 

 sexes in Warblers, the females in most, save the Blackcap already 

 noted, resemble the males, but upon close inspection can be distin- 

 guished from the last named by the plumage, on the aggregate, being 

 duller and less distinct. 



From various sources we find that the Lesser Whitethroat occurs 

 in several districts of Scotland, but having no personal knowledge of 

 it or its habits, I shall not presume to give a description, as such 

 would simply be extracted from a work on ornithology. The Sedge- 

 Warbler is a tolerably common bird all over Scotland, and is generally 

 found in moist reedy places, or by the sides of ponds and rivers, 

 although it may often be observed as well in thick hedges, and among 

 long grass at a considerable distance from water. Nevertheless, as 

 a rule, its proper habitat is close to watery ground. The plumage 

 is sufficiently diverse from the other Warblers to prevent mistakes 

 being made ; but as it sedulously conceals itself as much as possible 

 from view, the song is undoubtedly the surest method of identifica- 

 tion. The latter, once heard, is easily retained in the memory, being 

 formed of a medley of guttural and very clear liquid notes, the latter 

 thrown in promiscuously, as it were. It displays a deal of vigour in 

 its singing, and would seem to have a more than ordinary aptitude 

 for imitating the notes of other species. When most birds have re- 

 tired to roost, and all sound is hushed, it is somewhat startling in a 

 lonely spot to hear this little creature burst unexpectedly into full 

 song, with as much gusto as if the sun still shone high in the heavens, 

 night seeming to it on those occasions as congenial as day. This 



