2i6 PERSONALITY IN BIRDS 



superabundant vitality ; but the furious dash of the 

 falcon in pursuit shows energy directed by purpose, 

 and the period of repose that ensues serves only to 

 discriminate such an effort more sharply from the 

 continued, but often gratuitous, activities of small 

 birds. 



Whilst retaining generally much of the restlessness 

 of the Titmice, the Warblers, ranged in groups each 

 composed of birds possessing common traits and 

 distinguished by increasing sobriety of demeanour, 

 mark the way toward the calmer rule of life among 

 larger birds. 



The first of these groups may consist of the 

 Sedge- warbler, the Reed-warbler, the Furze-wren, 

 Grasshopper- warbler and Common Whitethroat, all of 

 them birds of violent motions, that apply unbounded 

 energy largely toward the production of fantastic 

 sounds. They are also skulkers in reed- beds or low 

 growth, though the Whitethroat, by his more open 

 habits and occasional phrases of true song, forms a 

 connecting link with the group next to follow a 

 group consisting of birds of more aerial habit and, for 

 the most part, of melodious song. 



It is strange that the birds of this first 

 group, so hidling in their ways, should yet be 

 at such pains to advertise their retreat by a 

 garrulity unparelleled among their kind. Indeed, 

 day itself seems too short for their garrulous 

 energies, and of the small number of birds that 

 are known to sing by night, no fewer than three 

 the Sedge- warbler, the Reed-warbler, and the 

 Grasshopper - warbler, are drawn from this 

 loquacious group. 



