148 Transactions of the [Sess. 



habit has given birth to numerous premature reports among folks 

 whose knowledge of bird-life is not always to be accepted as accurate ; 

 consequently the upshot is that many an individual, on hearing the 

 unwonted strains for the first time, immediately jumps to the conclu- 

 sion that he has been listening to a veritable Nightingale, and, elated 

 with what he considers to be a wonderful discovery, forthwith seeks 

 to enlighten an unsophisticated public, and immortalise himself at 

 the same time, by chronicling the fact in the columns of some local 

 newspaper. As must be in the recollection of many, we had several 

 examples of such letter-writing a few years ago in the columns of the 

 ' Scotsman.' Just one word more about the Sedge- Warbler before 

 passing on to the next. The assertion that a stone thrown into the 

 thicket where the bird is lurking causes it to renew the song, is some- 

 times scouted at as nonsense, but notwithstanding, I believe it to be 

 quite correct, having frequently tried the experiment with successful 

 results. Of course, to maintain that such a procedure will always 

 produce the desired effect would be absurd ; but, in the majority of 

 cases, the plan will be found to work well. 



The other aquatic species known as the Eeed-Warbler is very rare, 

 so in its case the same course must be adojDted as was done with the 

 Lesser Whitethroat — merely mention its occasional appearance, and 

 turn to the more familiar Wood- Wren. This and the Willow-Wren 

 are sometimes confounded, but a glance at the two species suffices to 

 disconnect them, the Wood- Warbler being greener in colour, longer in 

 body and wings, and moreover, it has a much yellower streak over the 

 eyes. The Wood-Wren also affects the neighbourhood of tall old 

 timber in a greater degree than the other ; and the songs, besides, are 

 quite divergent. In some parts of Mid-Lothian, particularly the valley 

 of the South Esk, the Wood- Wren is abundant, but taking it all in 

 all, is not nearly so numerous as the Willow- Warbler. I have some- 

 times fancied, while listening to the Wood- Warbler, that several of the 

 notes bear a family likeness to those of the Common Wren {Troglo- 

 dytes parvulus), both possessing in common a curious succession of 

 sounds, the effect of which cannot perhaps be more happily expressed 

 than by applying to it the old Scotch word " birling." It is observable 

 that some Wood- Wrens are much brighter in the green and yellow 

 tints than others, the age of the birds probably regulating this differ- 

 ence — it being natural to suppose that as a bird becomes older and 

 more mature, the intensity of its colouring will increase likewise. The 

 Willow- Warbler is by far the best known in this country, and seems, 

 both from its numbers and lively motions, to be more associated in 

 our minds with the recurrence of spring than any other sjDecies. 

 They must indeed be dull and unsympathetic by nature who do not 

 welcome this little visitor, and rejoice to hear once again his simple 

 modest song, which, though it lacks the fine resonance of its more 

 accomplished compatriots, somehow appeals to the heart with greater 



