THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



altogether. A better look-out should be kept for it. 

 This Warbler is one of the latest summer migrants to 

 reach the London area, seldom being seen or heard be- 

 fore the first week in May. Like all its congeners, it is 

 shy and retiring, resembling them in its habits generally. 

 It is fond of skulking in the dense thickets and other 

 cover of its haunts, threading its way through the maze 

 of twigs with great celerity, a shaking branch here and 

 there and an occasional harsh tec-tec being the only 

 indication of its whereabouts. Like all its kind, it is 

 restless in its search for food, appearing at intervals in the 

 open, crossing from one bush or hedge to another with 

 apparent reluctance, and always preferring to wander from 

 one part of its haunt to another hidden by the shelter of 

 the leaves. If its song were only louder it would compare 

 not unfavourably with that of the Blackcap ; it is not quite 

 so rich or so flute-like, but its beauty is certainly marred 

 by its singular softness. The cock is much too modest 

 in his utterance, and spoils much of its effect by warbling 

 so far'in the cover. At rare intervals he will mount to some 

 higher spray, as if moved by a sudden impulse, and warble 

 for a moment or so in full view ; and sometimes, White- 

 throat-like, he sings .as he flies. The food of this Warbler 

 consistsof insects, larvae, and small fruits, especially currants 

 and raspberries. Insects are sometimes caught in the air. 

 The nesting season is in May and June, and the nest is 

 well concealed amongst nettles or other coarse plants, in 

 fruit bushes, rows of peas, in thickets, briars, and brambles. 

 It is a simple, net-like little structure, cup-shaped, and 

 made of fine grass stalks, roots, a little moss, and lined with 

 horsehair. The five or six eggs are white, sometimes 

 with a greenish or buffish tinge, blotched, mottled, and 

 freckled with olive-brown, pale and buflish brown, and 

 grey. But one brood is reared in the year. 



The adult Garden Warbler is olive-brown above, 

 darkest on the wings and tail ; the under parts are pale 



