WOOD-WARBLER. 131 



into our bird- staffers' hands is owing probably as 

 much to their habits being but little known, as to their 

 late arrival in spring, when, in most seasons, the trees 

 are in full leaf and effectually conceal such small 

 objects. Mr. Dix has most kindly furnished me with the 

 following notes on this species, as observed by himself 

 at West Harling, in Norfolk, from which locality 

 he has sent me their eggs, and where I have had 

 the pleasure, in his company, of both seeing and hearing 

 several. ' He says, "they are not at all uncommon but 

 confined to one wood, and are very local in their habits. 

 There is one peculiarity I have invariably noticed, 

 though I do not remember to have seen it recorded : it 

 is their fondness for beech trees, so much so that I have 

 never seen the bird where the beech is absent. I have 

 found them in several localities, and in four different 

 counties, and even in Epping forest they are confined to 

 two or three limited spots. The call note and song is 

 so distinctive that once heard it cannot be mistaken, 

 and is sure to be noticed by any one at all attentive to 

 the songs of our summer birds ; so I do not think it 

 likely I have passed the bird. They feed principally at 

 the top of the high oak and beech trees just after sun- 

 rise, and I have seen them there washing in the dew. 

 I once shot an old female in the act, so there could be 

 no mistake. They are, I think, the most lovely and 

 elegant of our summer birds, perhaps, of any we have." 

 To these notes of a true naturalist I may also add 

 that my friend Mr. Alfred Newton, when residing at 

 Elveden, near Thetford, found the wood- warbler in that 

 district extremely local, but frequenting the same oak 

 plantations from year to year. It may be recognised at 

 once by its peculiar note, which is quite different from 

 that of the willow-wren, but by no means easy of 

 imitation. Mr. Blyth, in his usual ingenious manner, 

 gives it as " Twit, twit, twit, tit, tit, tit, ti-ti-ti-i-i-i, 

 s2 



