THE SEDGE WARBLER. 181 



place within that time; this was in 1842, when it was not seen 

 until the 13th of the month. In 1836, one was observed as 

 early as the 16th of April; and in 1844, on the 18th of that 

 month. Although this bird and the whitethroat usually arrive 

 about the same time, the sedge warbler is generally the first seen, 

 but in 1842, the contrary occurred in the districts which came 

 under my own observation, white-throats having appeared on 

 the 23rd of April, and the allied species not until the 13 th of 

 May. The 5th of September is the latest date at which I have 

 known it to be met with, — when one was seen and heard to sing on 

 the banks of the Lagan; but further observation may perhaps show 

 that the bird remains until a later period, as it does in England.* 

 The migration of the sedge warbler extends to the extreme north- 

 west of Ireland, where on the 1st of July, 1832, I heard and saw 

 one near Dunfanaghy : — Mr. Stewart, in his Catalogue of the Birds, 

 &c, of Donegal, observes that the species is common. Tins gentleman 

 further remarks that ' ' it is one of the latest of our spring visitants, 

 and certainly one of the most interesting in its manners, though from 

 its shy habits and constant restlessness, it is difficult of access; and 

 from the unceasing variety of its borrowed song, and its retirement, 

 often passed unnoticed. Often have I been so deceived by its 

 imitative strain, that on its assuming the clear note of the thrush, 

 the hoarse twitter of the sparrow, or the vocal power of some 

 other songster, I have given up my pursuit of it, supposing it 

 must have stolen off in a different direction, and have only been 

 undeceived when it has had recourse to its natural harsh, chid- 

 ing, and oft repeated note. Frequently it rises above the brake 

 in which, perhaps, concealed his helpmate is assiduously attending 

 to the duties of incubation, and beguiles her of her weary hours, 

 by imitating the lark, both in its melodious strains and gestures.'" 

 — Loudon's Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. v. p. 581. Mr. James E. 

 Garrett has frequently heard the sedge warbler make a cricket-like 

 noise for a long time, as the grasshopper warbler is described to 

 do, and then suddenly burst out into the song of the swallow, or 

 some other bird. Throughout the northern counties generally, 

 * Selby's 111. Brit. Om. vol. i. p. 202. 



