DARTFORD WARBLER. 813 



very like those of the little Wren ; and when the leaves are 

 off the trees, and the chill winter winds have driven the sum- 

 mer birds to the olive gardens of Spain, or across the Straits, 

 the Furze Wren, as it is there called, is in the height of his 

 enjoyment. T have seen them by dozens skipping about the 

 furze, lighting for a moment on the very point of the sprigs, 

 and instantly diving out of sight again, singing out their 

 angry impatient ditty, for ever the same. JNIounted on a 

 tall horse, and riding quietly along the outside, while the 

 fox-hounds have been drawing the furze-fields, I have seen 

 the tops of the furze quite alive with these birds. They 

 prefer those places where the furze is very thick, high, and 

 difficult to get in." During the last winter I have seen two 

 specimens that were killed near Alton in Hampshire ; and 

 I knew of another that was shot on Wimbledon Common, 

 where the nest with three young birds has also been ob- 

 tained, Mr. Gould mentions having obtained specimens at 

 all seasons of the year. These little birds fly with short 

 jerks, and feed principally on small insects, which they cap- 

 ture on the wing, returning to their place on the furze. 

 They are very shy, and though sometimes to be seen on the 

 topmost branches of the brake, they conceal themselves in 

 the thickest part on the least alarm, and creep about from 

 bush to bush. Their note is weak and shrill, but frequently 

 repeated ; and sometimes this bird may be observed on the 

 uppermost spray in vocal strain for half an hour together. 



In Devonshire, Colonel Montagu says, " The Dartford 

 Warblers were generally found in valleys, within two miles 

 of the sea. Upon a large furze-common near Kingsbridge 

 three pairs of old birds were observed on the 16th of July, 

 two pairs of these had young evidently by their extreme cla- 

 mour, and by frequently appearing with food in their bills.*''' 



" On the 17th my researches were renewed ; and after 

 watching for three hours the motions of another pair, I dis- 



