66 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



I was glad that we had an opportunity of hearing 

 this bird, so familiar to me as having occurred in the 

 neighbourhood of Dublin ; and I cannot but regret its 

 very rare occurrence in Great Britain, for, to my mind, 

 although its song wanted the liquidness of the Nightin- 

 gale, and was perhaps marred by a few discords in the 

 shape of some harsh, strident notes, in general effect, 

 although heard in the broad daylight, it seemed to be 

 superior to that of Philomela herself. 



When chaplain at Kissingen in 1891, and at Karlsbad 

 in 1892, I frequently heard the song of this bird; and I 

 often wondered how people could pass by without 

 pausing to hear its extraordinary notes, reminding me 

 sometimes of a Parrot, at others chuckling and laughing. 

 At Karlsbad my dear wife found the nest in a low shrub 

 close to the Kurhaus window ; and the bird permitted 

 us to approach so close without stirring that we could 

 easily have stroked her lovely green back. 



In appearance the Icterine Warbler differs but little 

 from the Willow Warbler and Chiff-Chaff. It is, 

 however, a larger bird than either, and its bill is 

 stouter, as in all aquatic Warblers a distinction to 

 which my attention was drawn by my kind friend, 

 Mr. A. G. More. 



On 29th May, 1886, Rev. A. Ellison saw and heard, 

 as he believes, this bird in Coollatin woods, Co. Wicklow. 



Should this bird again occur in Ireland, its wonderful 

 song should at once reveal its presence ; and let us hope 

 that " the sweet singer " may be heard and appreciated 

 by many admirers. The illustration may help them to 

 recognise it. 



