WARBLERS. 113 



The Garden Warbler arrives in this country about the end of April 

 or the beginning of May, but being of plain and inconspicuous plu- 

 mage, and of secluded habits, rarely attracts notice even in the places 

 where it is most abundant. Gilbert White, keen observer as he was, 

 does not appear to have noticed it, although it is very common in 

 the neighbourhood in which he resided. It generally warbles from 

 the middle of a thick clump of bushes or brakes, not often perching 

 in an exposed position like the Blackcap. Its notes are remarkably 

 soft and rich, somewhat resembling the Blackbird's, but they want 

 the silvery clearness of the Nightingale's. Mr. Bligh states that he 

 has heard it sing with great spirit against the latter bird, as if it 

 were determined not to be outdone. Sometimes its strains are con- 

 tinued for half an hour without intermission, and it often chooses the 

 calm and delightful period of twilight for its sweet warble, singing as 

 it were a farewell to departing day. 



The food of this bird consists largely of insects and grubs. Sweet 

 states that it is especially partial to the caterpillar of the cabbage 

 butterfly, and is almost the only bird of its genus that will eat ix. 

 As a compensation for its services to the gardener in ridding the trees 

 and plants of insect pests, it helps itself somewhat liberally to the 

 strawberries, currants, raspberries, and cherries, not despising the ripe 

 pears, plums, and early apples. 



Its nest is built on or near the ground, in a thick hedge, a patch 

 of tall rank grass, or a bed of nettles. It is usually constructed of 

 goose or other grass, straws or bents, mixed with a small quantity 

 of wool or moss, and lined with fine fibrous roots and hair. Some- 

 times it is attached to the branches by means of spiders' webs and the 

 cocoons of chrysalides. It is loosely woven, and not very carefully 

 concealed. Mr. Jesse mentions having found one three times in suc- 

 cession in an ivy tree against a wall. Another was taken by Mi. 

 Yarrell in a row of peas in a garden. The eggs, four or five in 

 number, are of a dull yellowish grey or pale purple brown, spotted 

 and streaked, chiefly at the larger end, with light grey and olive 

 brown. Although the young do not generally quit the nest until 

 they are nearly full grown, Neville Wood says that on suddenly ap- 

 proaching a nest, he has seen the whole brood dart out by commoh 

 consent, and although he has searched for them with the utmost, 

 diligence, they could not be discovered, as they squat down and lie 

 perfectly quiet among the long grass until an intruder leaves the spot. 

 The Garden Warbler closely resembles the Blackcap, both in size 

 and form. There is scarcely any difference between the plumage of 

 the male and female, except that the latter is of rather a paler colour. 



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