3o6 ENGLISH BIRD LIFE 



the birds, for the male, during the time that the 

 hen is sitting, constantly perches on the topmost 

 twig, from whence, ever and anon, it flies almost 

 perpendicularly into the air for a little way, utter- 

 ing the while its few musical notes, and returning 

 at once to its post. 



The eggs are live to six in number, and are of a 

 greenish-blue streaked with red and brown. 



The sight of this little warbler, with its black 

 head and bright rufous breast, appearing when all 

 its fellows have flown to sunnier lands, is a most 

 welcome addition to a wintry scene. On the sea- 

 cliffs about the ravine, when the desolate coast is 

 abandoned bv all save a wandering Herring- 

 gull, this little bird may often be seen perched 

 upon some stunted bush, or flitting amidst the 

 snow-wreathed bents on the declivities. At this 

 season it appears to court solitude, a single bird 

 only being usually seen. 



Of the great warbler group two species — the 

 Grasshopper and the Dartford^ — may fitly be 

 described as birds of the heath and common. 



In plumage as Avell as in habit, the Grasshopper 

 Warbler is one of the least conspicuous of birds. 

 Its head, back and wings are of a greenish-brown 

 mottled with a darker brown, the fine spots on the 

 head growing broader as they descend. The tail 

 is rounded and is faintly barred with brown. The 

 chin and under-surfaces are of a buffish-white, the 

 buff hue deepening on the upper breast, which is 

 again slightly flecked with brown. 



The nest is usually placed in the dense tangle of 



