THE GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 



Sylvia locustella. 



HIS pretty little warbler de- 

 rives its name from the strik- 

 ing resemblance of its note 

 to the peculiar chirruping 

 sound made by the large 

 green grasshopper. The bird 

 is of migratory habits; it 

 usually arrives in this country 

 about the middle of April, 

 and leaves in September, 

 but the lateness or earliness 

 of the season occasionally 

 accelerates or delays its ar- 

 rival. Like other members 

 of the same family, it is far 

 more plentiful during some 

 seasons than others. In the 

 years 1879 and 1880 these 

 birds were comparatively 

 common, and in 1881 and 

 1882 there were very few 

 seen or heard. It has been 

 observed in most of the 

 English counties, and is a 



