THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
just possible that it has been overlooked in some of 
them. 
Although there is much of intense’ interest in the 
habits of the Dartford Warbler it will not be necessary 
to dwell upon them at any great length in the pre- 
sent volume, because’ the bird is so utterly local, and is 
not likely to come before the notice of many observers 
in Greater London. ‘The most remarkable fact about 
this species is that it is a resident ; all the other Warblers 
are migrants, yet this tiny creature manages to exist in 
England through the severest winters. It may be that 
it can always find food of some kind amongst the dense 
gorse coverts it frequents, such spots offering a sanctuary 
to those lower forms of insect life upon which this 
Warbler largely subsists. A good deal still requires to 
be investigated concerning the food of this particular 
species. ‘There are few shyer or more restless and re- 
tiring birds than the Dartford Warbler. It keeps close 
to the gorse, only at fitful intervals appearing on the 
higher sprays, and then but for a moment or so. Some- 
times it indulges in a little soaring flight above the cover, 
but soon drops down again into it like a stone. Its call 
note of pzt-1t-chou is very characteristic, but it also 
utters a sound like the familiar tay-tay of the White- 
throat. During the breeding season—between May and 
June—the cock bird may be heard to warble a short yet 
musical little song. ‘The nest for the first brood is made 
in April, for the second in June. It is usually placed close 
to the ground, amongst dead gorse and grass, a loosely 
built structure, made of round dry grass stems, bits of 
dry gorse, and moss, and lined with scraps of wool, finer 
grass stalks, and hair. ‘The four or five eggs so closely 
resemble those of the Whitethroat that they can only be 
distinguished with the greatest difficulty. As a rule the 
markings are perceptibly more clearly defined, and 
darker. 
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