THE SINGING BIRDS. 



239 



the localities it almost exclusively frequents ; it never occupies lofty trees, except as temporary resting- 

 places during its winter migrations. In its general habits and movements the Sparrow-hawk Warbler 

 closely resembles most other members of its family ; it flies with difficulty, and comes but seldom to 

 the ground, but displays the utmost agility in creeping through the densest bushes, or in hopping 

 from branch to branch. Its song is rich, varied, and uttered constantly, almost throughout the entire 

 day. The period of incubation commences as soon as the birds have returned to their usual spring 

 haunts, and is accompanied by repeated outbursts of jealousy and violence on the part of the male, 

 who not only frequently engages in fierce conflicts with his actual rivals, but flies assiduously round 

 his mate while she carries on the work of building their little dwelling, in order to keep the coast 



TilE SPARROW HAWK WARBLER (Curnica m'sorij). 



ctear from even a distant intruder on her privacy. The nest is usually placed in a hedge or bush, 

 at from two to four feet above the ground, and is in every respect similar to that above described ; 

 the eggs, from four to six in number, are oval, with thin greyish shells, spotted with grey or olive 

 brown. Both parents exhibit great timidity whilst occupied in the care of their young, and quit the 

 nest at the first alarm of danger, the female frequently endeavouring to divert attention from her 

 brood by feigning to be lame or suffering. If disturbed while occupied in building, it is not uncommon 

 for a pair to leave the spot and re-commence their preparations elsewhere ; indeed, in some instances, 

 an unusually timid couple have been known to desert their brood when terrified by the approach and 

 investigations of a stranger. 



THE ORPHEUS WARBLER. 



The Orpheus Warbler {Ci/rruca OrpJied), the European species next in size to that above 



described, is six inches and a half long, and nine and a quarter broad ; the wing measures three 



inches, and the tail two inches and three quarters. The female is two lines smaller than her mate. 



The entire upper part of the back is dark grey, shaded with brown, the top of the head ami nape 



