DARTFORD WARBLER. 367 



withstanding the severity of the frost, it had wintered here, 

 as it is known to do in Devonshire." In a paper in the 

 Magazine of Natural History, by Rusticus of Godalming, 

 near which place this bird appears to be plentiful, it is 

 stated, that "its habits are very like those of the little 

 Wren ; and when the leaves are off the trees, and the 

 chill winter winds have driven the summer birds to the 

 olive gardens of Spain, or across the Straits, the Furze 

 Wren, as it is there called, is in the height of his enjoy- 

 ment. I have seen them by dozens skipping about the 

 furze, lighting for a moment on the very point of the 

 sprigs, and instantly diving out of sight again, singing 

 out their angry impatient ditty, for ever the same. Mounted 

 on a tall horse, and riding quietly along the outside, 

 while the fox-hounds have been drawing the furze-fields, 

 I have seen the tops of the furze quite alive with these 

 birds. They prefer those places where the furze is very 

 thick, high, and difficult to get in." During the winter I 

 have seen specimens that were killed near Alton in Hamp- 

 shire ; and I knew of another that was shot on Wimbledon 

 Common, where the nest with three young birds has also 

 been obtained. Mr. Gould mentions having obtained spe- 

 cimens at all seasons of the year. These little birds fly 

 with short jerks, and feed principally on small insects, 

 which they capture on the wing, returning to their place 

 on the furze. They are very shy, and though sometimes 

 to be seen on the topmost branches of the brake, they 

 conceal themselves in the thickest part on the least alarm, 

 and creep about from bush to bush. Their note is weak 

 and shrill, but frequently repeated; and sometimes this 

 bird may be observed on the uppermost spray in vocal 

 strain for half an hour together. 



In Devonshire, Colonel Montagu says, " The Dartford 



