THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
altogether. A better look-out should be kept for it. 
This Warbler is one of the latest summer migrants to 
reach the London area, seldom being séen or heard be- 
fore the first week in May. Like all its congeners, it 1s 
shy and retiring, resembling them in its habits generally. 
It is fond of skulking in the dense thickets and other 
cover of its haunts, threading its way through the maze 
of twigs with great celerity, a shaking branch here and 
there and an occasional harsh tec-tec being the only 
indication of its whereabouts. Like all its kind, it is 
restless in its search for food, appearing at intervals in the 
open, crossing from one bush or hedge to another with 
apparent reluctance, and always preferring to wander from 
one part of its haunt to another hidden by the shelter of 
the leaves. If its song were only louder it would compare 
not unfavourably with that of the Blackcap ; it is not quite 
so rich or so flute-like, but its beauty is certainly marred 
by its singular softness. "The cock is much too modest 
in his utterance, and spoils much of its effect by warbling 
sofarinthecover. At rare intervals he will mount to some 
higher spray, as if moved by a sudden impulse, and warble 
for a moment or so in full view ; and sometimes, White- 
throat-like, he sings as he flies. ‘The food of this Warbler 
consistsof insects, larve, and small fruits, especially currants 
and raspberries. Insects are sometimes caught in the air. 
The nesting season is in May and June, and the nest is 
well concealed amongst nettles or other coarse plants, in 
fruit bushes, rows of peas, in thickets, briars, and brambles. 
It is a simple, net-like little structure, cup-shaped, and 
made of fine grass stalks, roots, a little moss, and lined with 
horsehair. The five or six eggs are white, sometimes 
with a greenish or buffish tinge, blotched, mottled, and 
freckled with olive-brown, pale and buffish brown, and ~ 
grey. But one brood is reared in the year. 
The adult Garden Warbler is olive-brown above, 
darkest on the wings and tail; the under parts are pale 
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