42 



DARTFORD WARBLER. 



found in the New Forest, and also in the Isle of Wight, 

 but it is decreasing. The reason for this seems to be 

 that it is not a hardy bird, and a keen winter tells 

 upon it. In Dorset, where it was once frequently 

 found, it seems to have been almost exterminated. 

 Mr. Lister, writing to the Zoologist in March, 1891, 

 says : " The Dartford Warbler usually survives the 

 cold of our winters, but the extreme severity and 



DARTFORD WARBLER. 



long-continued snow of 1880 and 1881 killed off every 

 Dartford Warbler from this district (Lyme Regis). 

 Year by year I have searched localities where this bird 

 was abundant before those two disastrous winters, but 

 have not met with a single individual. I am told that 

 they have appeared in some parts of the county since 

 that date, but they have not extended to these parts." 

 The Dartford Warbler is usually met with on the 

 large heaths and commons where furze bushes abound. 



