EGGS, FOOD, AND SONG. 41 



layer of finer grass, and sometimes with moss. The eggs 

 are about the size of those of the Hedge-sparrow, four or 

 five in number, of a yellowish white colour, blotched with 

 light grey and olive brown, most thickly at the larger end. 

 This bird is fond of larvae and insects, and also of pulpy 

 fruit, such as cherries and strawberries, on which it feeds 

 eagerly, as also on plums, pears, and such early apples as 

 are ripe before it leaves. Its liking for fruit often brings it 

 into gardens, and it has been known to build its nest in 

 such a situation, among a row of peas. Jesse records an 

 instance of its building its nest three times in succession 

 among some ivy growing against an oak. 



Sweet, in his account of the Sylvia genus, calls this 

 bird the Greater Pettychaps or Garden Warbler ; by 

 Wood it is termed the Garden Fauvet. White does 

 not mention it, although, as Wood remarks, it is found 

 somewhat plentifully in the neighbourhood of Selborne. 

 Latham was the first 'to describe it as a British bird, 

 having received a specimen from Lancashire. Selby 

 mentions having seen it north of the river Tweed, which 

 Montagu had previously stated to be its northern limit; and 

 several Scottish naturalists have since put the truth of his 

 statement beyond a doubt, by describing specimens seen and 

 taken in several localities of that country. It may be met with 

 in almost every part of England ; although more locally 

 distributed than the Blackcap, it is perhaps not less abun- 

 dant in places where it does occur. So says Neville Wood, 

 to whom we are indebted for the following interesting 

 particulars : 



The song of the Garden Fauvet bears considerable resemblance to 

 that of the Garden Ouzel, but it is destitute of that exquisite richness 

 and depth of tone which appear to be almost peculiar to the notes of 

 the latter. Neither is it so loud, though by no means wanting in 

 power. 



It mostly inhabits small groves, thick braky woods, in the 

 neighbourhood of houses, and is a frequent visitant of the garden, 

 though its services here are little appreciated, except by the natu- 

 ralist. It generally sings in the midst of the thickest and most im- 

 penetrable brakes, where it has leisure to pour forth its exquisitely 

 sweet strains, alike secure from the gun of the prying naturalist, and 

 the stcne of the idle schoolboy. Often, however, it appears to aban- 



