GARDEN-WARBLER. 403 
a few cobwebs and a little moss cement the stalks together ; and it is lined 
with a small quantity of horsehair. The surrounding branches are artfully 
interwoven with the sides of the nest, which, frail as it is, is well and skill- 
fully put together. The eggs are four or five in number, in some cases as 
many assix. They very closely resemble those of the Blackcap, and vary 
in ground-colour from pale buffish white to greenish white. In some eggs 
the markings are distributed in large blotches of greenish brown, varying 
in richness of colour, and intermingled with smaller and paler underlying 
spots, with sometimes a few short irregular streaks of dark brown; in 
others the underlying spots are the predominant ones—large irregular 
pale violet-grey blotches, sparingly dashed and marbled with brown surface- 
spots, some of which are very dark in colour; others, again, have the 
markings chiefly round the large end of the egg—very rich brown spots and 
irregular streaks intermingled with grey underlying spots. I have never 
met with the rufous type which occasionally occurs in eggs of the Blackcap 
and other Warblers as well as the Shrikes &c. They vary in length from 
‘85 to'7 inch, and in breadth from °63 to55 inch. _ 
Dixon thus writes of the nest of this bird :—‘‘ 'The Garden-Warbler’s 
nest is usually well concealed under the leaves of the shrubs and plants that 
sustain it, often so admirably as to completely hide the eggs or sitting bird 
from view. It is also made on a flimsy net-like design, and is well adapted 
to escape the notice of all but the most prying observation. The colours 
of the sitting bird, too, are highly protective; and its unassuming dress is 
in strict harmony with surrounding objects. When you approach her nest 
she will eye you anxiously, but will not move, except perhaps to crouch 
still lower in her nest. Silent and motionless she will allow you to 
almost touch her with your hand, ere personal safety masters her maternal 
love, and, like a shadow, she glides into the neighbouring under- 
growth.” 
The Garden- Warbler is said to rear two broods in the year; but I do not 
think that such is invariably the case; and the late broods of this bird 
sometimes met with may be those of birds whose earlier efforts were unfor- 
tunate. It leaves our shores usually by the latter end of September. 
The male Garden-Warbler in spring plumage has the general colour of 
the upper parts olive-brown, darker and greyer on the wings and tail, and 
slightly paler on the margin of the wing-coverts and innermost secondaries. 
The underparts are greyish white, purest on the belly and on the edge of 
the wing, just below the carpal joint, and shading into pale olive-brown on 
the breast, flanks, and the centre of the under tail-coverts. The axillaries 
and under wing-coverts are buff, the latter with darker centres. Bill dark 
brown, paler at the base of the lower mandible ; legs, feet, and claws bluish 
grey ; irides hazel. The female scarcely differs from the male, After the 
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