VOL. VII.] THE DARTFORD WARBLER. 219 



As an illustration of how easily these skulking little 

 birds may be overlooked, I may mention that on one 

 occasion I remained for two days on one fairly larga 

 common without seeing or hearing a bird, but on the 

 third day, on the same common, I discovered no less 

 than five pairs with young. 



Whether there has been any marked increase in the 

 species I am not prepared to affirm or deny, but in any 

 case they are now quite abundant. This may be owing 

 to successive mild winters ; but I think it is more probably 

 a question of knowing the birds and where to look for 

 them. For instance, in three of the locahties in which I 

 have found them they were supposed to have been 

 exterminated by collectors ; but those who know these 

 exceedingly cunning birds will dismiss such a suggestion 

 as mere hearsay. Furze fires are no doubt at times 

 responsible for diminution, and I knew of one case where 

 two nests with eggs, and possibly the birds, were 

 destroyed in this way. 



It has, I think, been stated by some writers that the 

 Dartford Warbler preferred a sandy soil, and at one 

 time I also held this opinion, but I have since found 

 the bird on heavy clay soils and even comparatively 

 marshy ones. 



