224 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Capercaillie), Mealy Redpoll, and Brambling, while not 

 infrequently the birch- woods are devastated at the same time 

 by countless hordes of the larv;e of a geometer moth {Cidaria 

 dilutata). It has even been recorded on the evidence of 

 native tradition that frogs and herrings are similarly affected 

 in these years of increased fertility. 



Whatever influence food-supply may have there seems to 

 be without doubt some other cause, of which we as yet know 

 little or nothing, for this remarkable phenomenon. 



N. F. TlCEHURST. 



YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER IN LINCOLNSHIRE. 



On October 12th I shot a Yellow- browed Warbler 

 (Phylloscopus superciliosus) at North Cotes. It was a very 

 fine example and proved to be a male. There was very little 

 migration in progress, only a few Thrushes, Rock- Pipits, and 

 Grey Crows coming in. A fresh south wind was blowing and 

 there had been a gale from the same quarter on the previous 



da y- G. H. Caton Haigh. 



EXTRAORDINARY BOLDNESS OF A 

 GRASSHOPPER- WARBLER. 



Of all our small birds the Grasshopper- Warbler (Locustella 

 nievia) is perhaps the shyest ; but a charming little incident, 

 which occurred to me on June 3rd, 1909, shows that in defence 

 of their young they can be curiously bold. I was hidden 

 within the shelter of three reed-thatched hurdles, covered 

 with an old khaki and green cloth, photographing adult 

 Grasshopper- Warblers feeding their young. Previously to 

 commencing operations I removed the oldest of the six young 

 birds to my coat-pocket for security, as he knew all that 

 was necessary for self-preservation, and would have quickly 

 imparted his knowledge to the rest. After an hour or so I 

 placed him in my hat which was on my knee. He climbed 

 to the hat-brim and " cheeped " loudly for food. Soon to my 

 intense astonishment I heard a mouse-like rustling in the reed- 

 screen ; the mother, attracted by the voice of the nestling, 

 crept through the shelter with a caterpillar, but suddenly 

 withdrew on finding herself face to face with a horrid human. 

 The young bird complained loudly, while I remained motion- 

 less. Soon the mother returned, and this time climbed to the 

 top of the, camera and called to the little one, which fluttered 

 up and was fed. I then replaced him within the screen, but 

 a few inches further from my face. It was not long before 



