342 SYLVIADA. 
known to do in Devonshire.” In a paper in the Maga- 
zine of Natural History, by Rusticus of Godalming, near 
which place this bird appears to be plentiful, it is stated, 
that “its habits are very like those of the little Wren ; 
and when the leaves are off the trees, and the chill winter 
winds have driven the summer birds to the olive gardens 
of Spain, or across the Straits, the Furze Wren, as it is 
there called, is in the height of his enjoyment. I have 
seen them by dozens skipping about the furze, lighting 
for a moment on the very point of the sprigs, and instantly 
diving out of sight again, singing out their angry impa- 
tient ditty, for ever the same. Mounted on a tall horse, 
and riding quietly along the outside, while the fox-hounds 
have been drawing the furze-fields, I have seen the tops 
of the furze quite alive with these birds. They prefer 
those places where the furze is very thick, high, and diffi- 
cult to get in.” During the last winter I have seen two 
specimens that were killed near Alton in Hampshire; and 
I knew of another that was shot on Wimbledon Common, 
where the nest with three young birds has also been ob- 
tamed. Mr. Gould mentions having obtained specimens 
at all seasons of the year. These little birds fly with short 
jerks, and feed principally on small insects, which they 
capture on the wing, returning to their place on the furze. 
They are very shy, and though sometimes to be seen on 
the topmost branches of the brake, they conceal themselves 
in the thickest part on the least alarm, and creep about 
from bush to bush. Their note is weak and shrill, but 
frequently repeated ; and sometimes this bird may be ob- 
served on the uppermost spray im vocal strain for half an 
hour afterwards. 
In Devonshire, Colonel Montagu says, “ The Dartford 
Warblers were generally found in valleys, within two miles 
