71 



THE GRASSHOPPER-WARBLER. 



Locustella ncevia (Bodd.). 



The information regarding the Grasshopper- Warbler was very 

 meagre ; in fact, it was probably seldom recorded except 

 when special visits were made to known breeding-areas. It 

 is almost impossible therefore to make any definite statement 

 with regard to its area of arrival or subsequent passage 

 through the country ; but, on the whole, the evidence points 

 to its having arrived almost entirely on the western half of 

 the south coast. 



The first arrivals reported were in Dorsetshire on the 

 12th of April, but from the occurrence of the species at 

 Bardsey light (Carnarvon) two nights later, it would 

 appear that the earlier migrants were mostly overlooked. 

 From the 16th to the end of the month first arrivals, mostly 

 single birds, were noted in sixteen counties, including York- 

 shire on the 24th and Cumberland on the 27th. 



During May one or two records of fluctuating numbers 

 suggested that migration was still going on, but they were 

 not sufficiently numerous for any conclusions to be drawn 

 from them. 



A nest with four eggs was found in Norfolk on the 21st of 

 May. 



The most interesting point with regard to this species was 

 its occurrence at the light-stations. All the records but one 

 from Spurn Head light (Yorkshire) on the 4th/5th of j\lay 

 were from west coast stations, where the birds occurred in 

 comparatively large numbers. Many were recorded at the 

 Isle of Man on the 23rd of April and there was evidently a 

 considerable passage of Grasshopper- Warblers up the west 

 coast on that date. 



