74 
MAKSII WAR15LER. 
texture of tlie shell, and delicate dark brown spots on 
the surface, mingled with which are a number of black 
dots. The ground colour also in many fresh eggs is 
green, hut clear and very different from the muddy 
tint of the egg of the E,eed Warbler. The female sits 
daily for some hours, hut the male takes his turn. 
Incubation lasts thirteen days.” 
I have been thus particular in quoting the habits 
and nidiflcation of this bird, as they are the principal 
means by which the species, though undoubted, is dis- 
tinguished from the Keed Warbler. Its powers of 
imitation are indeed remarkable. M. L’Abbe Caire 
writes to M. Gerbe; — “This species sings most admirably, 
imitating with exactitude the notes of the Goldfinch, 
the Chaffinch, and the Blackbird, as well as all the 
other birds which frequent its neighbourhood. Its song 
is richer in variation than that of the Nightingale, and 
it can be listened to from morniii" to niofft.” 
O O 
I think it very probable that this bird is an inhabi- 
tant of Great Britain, though hitherto confounded with 
the Heed Warbler. I think I have myself taken the 
nest; and Mr. Sweet’s bird, mentioned by Mr. Yarrell, 
was probably this species. 
The male and female in breeding plumage are greenish 
olive grey, the rump somewhat paler green; inferior 
parts of a white russet, lightest on the chin and throat, 
having a yellow tint on the sides of the neck and 
belly; the lores, and a line above the eyes, reddish 
white. Wings brown, bordered with ash; tail same, 
bordered with greyish; first primary very short, second 
a little shorter than the third, which is the longest, and 
which is twenty millemetres longer than the longest 
secondary, that of the Heed Warbler being only sixteen. 
Beak above, black brown, lower mandible yellow flesh- 
