166 Silvia dee. 



57. DARTFORD WARBLER (Melizophilus Dartfordiensis). 



The name Melizophilus is explained by the compilers of the 

 B.O.U. list of British Birds to mean 'song-loving/ from ,*/./>>, 

 ' I warble,' and p/Xg*;, ' I love ' ; and undatus, one of its accepted 

 specific names, as ' marked with waves/ undce. As to the 

 quality of its song, there is a wide difference of opinion, some 

 calling it harsh and unmusical, and some describing it as sweet 

 and plaintive ; but there is no question that it is prolonged and 

 almost incessant, so the 'song-lover' may apply sufficiently well. 

 But as to the ' wave-markings/ they must have reference, I sup- 

 pose, to the plumage, and these can belong only to the 'chestnut 

 brown chin, which in autumn is mottled with white undulations, 

 which disappear in spring ;'* but this seems but a feeble cause 

 for so pronounced a name. This pretty little warbler frequents 

 the downs and commons abounding in furze, in the thickest 

 parts of which it will conceal itself, and over which it will hover 

 on outstretched wing while it utters its short hurried note. It 

 is a hardy bird, and remains here throughout the year : its body 

 is very small, scarcely exceeding that of the common wren, but 

 its great length of tail gives it the appearance of superior bulk ; 

 the general colour of its plumage is dark brown above and 

 chestnut brown beneath. Mr. Withers informed me that some 

 years since, several of these birds were shot annually by Mr. 

 Edwards at Amesbury ; they were decoyed from the midst of the 

 bush wherein they concealed themselves by a certain noise made 

 by Mr. Edwards, when they rose to the top spray and were easily 

 killed. The Rev. G. Marsh was also informed by the man who pro- 

 cured the specimen in his collection, that by imitating their note 

 he could bring these birds to the top of the furze, and that he had 

 so killed three in one morning in the neighbourhood of Chippen- 

 ham. Mr. Baker sees them on the downs near Mere, where they are 

 almost certain to be roused from the gorse when the hounds are 

 drawing the cover ; and I have other instances before me of its 



Professor Newton in fourth edition of Yarrell's ' British Birds ' vol. i , 

 p. 404. 



