THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 



which appears to give it a ventriloquial 

 effect. 



If the bird be disturbed it instantly 

 ceases to sing, and dropping stealthily 

 into the undergrowth waits in silence 

 until the danger has passed ; then it re- 

 commences. 



When the singer is not seen, the exact 

 locality from which the sounds are pro- 

 ceeding is very difficult to discover. 

 This arises from two facts the shrill- 

 ness of the tones, as in the case of a mouse 

 squeaking when running about amongst 

 grass, and the movements of the head 

 already mentioned. 



The sound, although somewhat similar 

 to that made by a grasshopper, is much 

 more sustained, and always appears to 

 me far more machine-like. In fact, it 

 is known in some parts of the country as 

 the " Reeler," in recognition of the fact 

 that its notes resemble the sounds made 

 by a reel used during the last century by 

 hand-spinners of wool. Once the bird 

 has been heard, its song can never be 

 forgotten or mistaken for that of any 

 other British Bird. Its call note is a 

 sharp tic, tic. 



The Grasshopper Warbler builds upon 

 the ground, or very near to it. Its nest 

 69 



