102 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



times be heard to sing, even whilst 

 his bill is crowded with insects. 



DARTFORD WABBLEK'S NEST. 



The nest, although more substantial, 

 is somewhat like that of the common 

 whitethroat, and is formed of dead grass 

 stems, rootlets, wool, rabbits' down, 

 and, occasionally, feathers. I have seen 



several specimens built in rough heather, 

 and my friend, Mr. Howard Bentham, 

 who has given the species a great deal 

 of attention, and has probably found 

 more nests than any other man in this 

 country, tells me that something like 

 three-fourths of those he has discovered 

 have been built in heather and the 

 remainder in furze. The one figured in 

 our plate was made in a small dead 

 furze-bush surrounded by tall heather. 



The eggs number four or five. They 

 are very similar, as a rule, to those of 

 the whitethroat, being greenish or buffish 

 white in ground colour, liberally sprinkled 

 all over with dark olive brown and 

 underlying grey markings. 



The Dartford Warbler generally carries 

 its tail at the angle shown in the photo- 

 gravure, and frequently erects the 

 feathers on the crown of its head in such 

 a way as to suggest a crest. Its whole 

 length is about five inches. The head, 

 neck, and upper parts are greyish black, 

 whilst the throat, breast, and sides are 

 chestnut brown. The female, as might 

 be expected, is less richly coloured. 



