1 86 The Irish Naturalist. 



the male, which was continued in the same place the day after 

 he had lost his mate. Another male sang habitually in a 

 group of hazels between the flower-garden and the lake, and 

 others in different parts of the demesne, but always about 

 spots where there were masses of briars and a variety of 

 shrubs and deciduous trees, not in a dense compact mass, but 

 open between. Mr. Parker had noted eight or nine places 

 where he had recently heard this species, and since my depar- 

 ture he has heard it elsewhere, but always in his demesne. 

 The same bird might be heard throughout the day, and day 

 after day, repeating his song at intervals about the same spot, 

 where probably the nest was situated, as in the case of that 

 which I took. If one approached, the song would stop, and 

 soon recommence from a neighbouring tree or bush, but the 

 bird secluded itself so carefully among the foliage as to be 

 very rarely and briefly seen. 



It was a powerful and sweet song that might be heard dis- 

 tinctly at a considerable distance, and contained some deep 

 notes, recalling those of a Blackbird, but were not dwelt 

 on with the emphasis of a Blackbird's song. This was 

 uttered in a volley, high and deep notes struggling as it were 

 to get out. In a few seconds it stopped, to recommence 

 presently, after the manner of a warbler's. It is far sweeter 

 and deeper than the brief chattering song of the White- 

 throat, which I had opportunities of comparing with it, and 

 it is uttered for a longer period at a time. 



On ist June I revisited Nun's Island, in I^ough Ree, Co. 

 Westmeath, and in the same bush where I heard it last year, 

 a Garden Warbler was again singing, while another was 

 rivalling his song on a diflerent part of the island, which is 

 encircled by a belt of tall Blackthorns. 



Next day I visited the extensive woods of Castle Forbes, 

 Co. lyongford, which stretch for miles along L,ough Forbes, an 

 enlargement of the Shannon, and are evidently mainly of 

 natural growth. Here I soon recognized the now familiar song, 

 and as I wandered on came to a spot where a Garden Warbler 

 was singing, close to a path, yet so closely did he seclude him- 

 self, that he sang again and again unseen, always changing 

 his whereabouts, while I watched for nearly an hour. I then 

 came to another place where I heard a similar song, and 

 while moving about I was met by the alarm note of the female. 



