Birds of Britain 



it by its song, we may be lucky enough to see a dark bird 

 moving near the ground with hesitating flight. As it drops 

 after a very short journey into the cover again, we may have 

 time to notice the rounded tail, which is always spread as it 

 settles and is the best clue by which to identify this species 

 on the wing. Approach the spot where he disappeared and 

 you will search in vain, for he has already crept away, and 

 in a few minutes the song will recommence several yards off. 



As with all the Warblers, insects form their chief food. 

 The nest, built of grass and bents loosely woven together, is 

 placed low down and well concealed in the rough herbage 

 near the ground, and as the bird seldom flies from it, but 

 creeps silently away on our approach, it is exceedingly 

 difficult to find. 



Six eggs form the clutch ; the ground colour is whitish, 

 but they are very thickly and uniformly mottled and freckled 

 with reddish brown. The general colour above is greenish 

 brown, each feather having a darker centre. "Wings and 

 tail brown, the latter showing faint bars. Under parts 

 brownish, slightly spotted on the throat and breast, darker 

 on the flanks and paler on the belly. The sexes are alike 

 in plumage. Length 5'4 in. ; wing 2*4 in. 



SAVFS WARBLER 



Locustella Iuscinioides (Savl) 



This species was once a regular migrant to certain 

 favoured localities in the East Anglian fens, but subsequent 



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