Birds. 313 



grass, which it resembles in appearance, being lined with a profusion 

 of poultry -feathers, and is a most warm and comfortable little struc- 

 ture. The bird lays from six to eight eggs, of a delicate rosy white, 

 spotted very thickly with dusky red spots. I have seen the nest lined 

 with long dark hairs, and also with the seed-branches of field-grasses, 

 but such is not commonly the case. It should be noted that this 

 beautiful little warbler gives forth his fresh notes during all the vernal 

 months, but is mute about July 12 ; his song gradually decreases in 

 power and melody towards Midsummer, and then dies away. 



He may be noticed, after spring, about orchards, searching for grubs 

 and caterpillars, and small insects, amongst the fruits and leaves, and 

 no doubt renders considerable service to the horticulturist. Indeed 

 the number of destructive insects consumed during the breeding sea- 

 son by all birds is truly surprising, and it has been ascertained by 

 accurate observation, that all birds do more good than harm, by the 

 innumerable quantities they destroy, and ought not, on that account, 

 to be molested in flower or fruit garden. J. J. Briggs. 



King's Newton, Melbourne, 

 July 28, 1843. 



\ 



Notes on the Migrations of Birds. By W. R. Hall Jordan, Esq. 



The swallow tribe, and some other birds of passage, possess such 

 ample powers of flight, that their migration from one country to ano- 

 ther cannot occasion much surprise ; but with the warblers the case 

 is totally different; their general habits, — flitting from bush to bush, 

 or skulking beneath the covert of a hedge, seldom displaying any more 

 vigorous effort than that of hovering round the branch of a tree, — 

 seem quite to preclude the idea of their being capable of undertaking 

 long and difficult excursions on the wing. But on looking at a map 

 of the Mediterranean sea, dotted with islands throughout its whole 

 extent, we shall perceive that no very prolonged flight is necessary, 

 and that there is no lack of resting-places, where the way-worn tra- 

 vellers may recruit themselves awhile after their harassing journey, 

 and again, with renewed strength, resume their flight to the clime ap- 

 pointed for them. 



Accordingly, from the testimony of many scientific and accurate 

 observers, we shall find that these islands are selected as resting-pla- 

 ces, by the various groups of feathered emigrants, whose course leads 

 them in that direction ; and also, that the times when they make a 



