78 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



ground, this Warbler is neither gregarious nor 

 sociable, and each pair have their own nook from 

 which they drive away all intruders. The nest is 

 either made upon the ground, or less frequently 

 a short distance above it. It is one of the most 

 difficult of our British nests to find, being hidden 

 away under briars and brambles, or amongst rank 

 long grass, at the foot of a bush, often in such dense 

 situations that the birds approach it by a kind of 

 "run" through the herbage. It is a somewhat 

 compact and deep structure made of dry grass, 

 moss, and dead leaves, and lined with finer round 

 dry grass-stalks. Nests of this Warbler have been 

 found amongst clover. The eggs are from four to 

 seven in number, white, suffused with pink in ground- 

 colour, densely sprinkled with reddish-brown and 

 grey. On some eggs a few hair-like dark brown 

 lines occur. These eggs are not readily confused 

 with those of any other species. The bird, as might 

 be expected, is a very close sitter, and leaves the 

 nest when disturbed in a stealthy manner. But one 

 brood appears to be reared in the year. 



The food of the Grasshopper Warbler is chiefly 

 composed of insects and larvae, but late in the 

 season fruits of various kinds are sought for. The 

 migration south begins in August and is continued 

 through the following month ; but as the species is 

 such a retiring one the exact date of departure from 

 any given locality is not very easily determined. 



