106 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
brown. The plumage of the female is much the 
same as the male, except that the upper part of the 
head is reddish brown. Young birds resemble the 
female, except that the brown on the head is not so 
conspicuous. 
The egg is about the size of that of the Hedge- 
sparrow, but a little rounder: it has a dull white 
ground, much smeared with ight brown, and there 
are a few specks of much darker brown. 
GARDEN WaRBLER, Curruca hortensis. This shy 
unassuming little Warbler is perhaps more common 
in our county than is usually supposed; its shyness 
and the quiet plainness of its dress, together with its 
likeness to some of our other Warblers, causing it 
to be overlooked or mistaken. It is probably occa- 
sionally killed by an irate gardener when found 
amongst his peas,—of which, by the bye, it is rather 
fond,—and thrown away as “one o’ them White- 
throats.” Montagu mentions its being found both 
in Devonshire and Somersetshire; and Yarrell says 
it is found as far west as Devonshire. The pair 
I have in my collection were taken near Taunton. 
This bird is the “ Fauvette Pettychaps” of Bewick. 
It is rather a late summer visitor, not arriving until 
the end of April or beginning of May. In song it is 
said to be scarcely inferior to the Nightingale. It 
frequents thick hedges, shrubberies and gardens. 
The food of this bird consists of insects, peas 
and various fruits (cherries in particular) and some 
