72 A GROUP OF WARBLERS. 



place to place in search of insects on umbelliferous plants, 

 and such other herbage as the bleak banks of the North- 

 umberland coast affords. Such a situation could not be 

 at all suited to the habits of this species, and there can be 

 little doubt that it had arrived on the coast previous to, or 

 immediately after, its autumnal migrations. This bird is 

 extremely rare on the Continent. 



As we here take leave of the Warblers, we may as well 

 conclude the chapter with a few lines by Mant, in which 

 several of those previously described are introduced. After 

 speaking of the Swallows, the Bishop, who ought to be 

 canonized as St. Valentine, says: 



Nor, April, dost thou fail to bring 



To greet thee birds of shorter wing, 



Infirm of flight, yet such as trill 



Melodious from their tender bill 



Sweet music. If the Whitethroat's lay, 



Flitting from hedgerow spray to spray, 



Or gently mounting through the air, 



To mark his bosom, silvery fair, 



Invite us ; or, from loftiest tree, 



With brisk, unwearied melody, 



Of sable breast and snowy head, 



And quivering tail of crimson red, 



The slumbering morn the Redstart wakes ; 



Or, 'mid the groves and tangled brakes, 



The Wood Wren, from his yellow throat, 



Chaunts forth his sharp and shivering note 



Peculiar ; or his whispered song, 



The Warbler, olive-brown, among 



Thicket or furze, or sheltering grass ; 



While untaught peasants, as they pass, 



Deem the loud whisper of his bill 



Is but the cricket's chirrup shrill. 



