THE FAN-TAIL WAEBLEK. 



289 



The cradle in wliicli is laid the nest of the Fan-tail Warbler is most ingeniously 

 constructed from the living reeds among which the bird loves to make its residence. As 

 it is so minute a creature, it is unable to make use of the thick and sturdy stems, but 

 employs the flat leaf-blades and the smaller grasses in its architectural designs. Each leaf 

 is pierced by the bill, drawn closely to another blade, and secured to it by means of a 

 cottony thread which is passed through the perforation, and secured at each stitch by a knot 

 so elaborately tied, that, in the words of Mr. Gould, "it appears the work of reason." The 

 nest itself is composed of various 

 soft and downy fibres, which are 

 collected from different plants. In 

 this Avonderfully constructed nest 

 the Fan-tail Warbler lays four 

 or five eggs of a "bluish-flesh" 

 colour. 



The popular name of Fan-tail 

 has been given to this bird on 

 account of the peculiar shape of 

 the expanded tail, which is ex- 

 hibited by the bird whenever it 

 sets itself in motion. It is a lively 

 Little bird, popping in and out of 

 the foliage in a very wren-like 

 manner, spreading and flirting its 

 beautifully loquacious little tail 

 while it darts from spot to spot, as 

 the Spanish ladies flirt their love- 

 speaking fans. When observed, it 

 takes to its wings, and will fly 

 to a considerable distance before 

 alighting. It is a native of the 

 Mediterranean shores, and is founa 

 along the northern and eastern 

 parts of Europe, and the adjoining 

 portions of Africa and Asia. At 

 Gibraltar it is found in plenty, 

 enlivening the bushes with its 

 quick and active movements, and 

 its shrill merry notes. 



The colour of this pretty little 

 bird is a warm chestnut-brown, 

 each feather being marked with 

 a dark strip running down its 

 centre. The under surface is 

 Avhite with a brown wash, and 

 the tail is brownish-black, each 

 feather being graduated so as to 

 give it the appearance which is 

 presented in the engraving. Each 

 tail-feather is tipped with white, 

 presenting an agreeable contrast 

 to the darker hues of the basal 

 five inches. 



FAN-TAIL WARBLER— .5a^^car•ia Cisticola. 



portions. The total length of this bird is about 



A SMALL but very interesting group of birds now claims our attention. These are the 

 Eryihacinm, or Eedbreast kind, including the Redbreast, the Wheatear, the Chats, the 

 Eedstart, and other similar birds. 



2. U 



