THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 87 



and eggs, the Grasshopper Warbler differs en- 

 tirely from the two species above mentioned. 

 It delights in a dense undergrowth or thick 

 hedge-bottom, where it creeps about more like 

 a mouse than a bird, and is extremely difficult 

 to catch sight of, pausing at intervals to seize an 

 insect or to give forth its remarkable note. Its 

 well-made and compact nest, so different from 

 the slovenly structure of the Sedge Warbler, is 

 placed upon the ground, and carefully con- 

 cealed. The eggs, five or six in number, are 

 amongst the most beautiful of small birds' eggs. 

 When blown they are white, minutely freckled 

 over with brownish-red ; but before the yolk 

 has been expelled they are suffused with a deli- 

 cate rosy tint, which afterwards unfortunately 

 disappears. The Grasshopper Warbler is a 

 regular summer visitant to Ireland, and is also 

 found in the south of Scotland. Its retiring 

 habits probably cause it to be overlooked, and 

 were it not for its loud note it would doubtless 

 often escape notice altogether. It does not 

 appear to be anywhere a numerous species, and 



