52 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



particularly striking in the little refrain, the few 

 notes being uttered in a very attractive descend- 

 ing scale ; but when the birds are singing in all 

 directions, first one and then another, here, there 

 and everywhere, the effect is charming in the highest 

 degree. It is a little song, plaintive yet soothing 

 in the extreme, soft and rich in tone, commencing 

 with a few low and sweet notes, which gradually 

 become louder and richer, and then finally die away 

 in strains so low that they are scarcely audible a 

 few yards away. This song is sometimes uttered 

 whilst the bird is flying, especially in spring, or even 

 when hopping from branch to branch. None of 

 our song birds sing more persistently all the spring 

 and early summer ; but in July and August this song 

 becomes less frequent, is chiefly heard at dawn, and 

 by the end of the latter month dies away in the 

 annual moult. It is regained, however, after the 

 new dress is assumed, in all its former beauty, a 

 fact which we have not remarked in any other 

 migratory Warbler, if we except the Chiffchaff, but 

 that bird's note scarcely attains the dignity of a song. 

 Whether the Willow Warbler pairs for life or 

 not, we are unable exactly to say, but there is some 

 evidence to suggest that the same spots are visited 

 for nesting purposes year by year. The cosy little 

 nest of this species is usually made upon the ground, 

 amongst the luxuriant herbage on a bank by pre- 

 ference, but many other sites are selected. We 



