54 
SYLVIAD.E. 
? 
INSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. SYLVIADM. 
PLATE LVIL 
REDBREAST. 
Sylvia bubecula. 
The warblers upon which we are now entering are, without 
doubt, the most interesting of all the feathered tribes, and 
the most general favourites on account of their pleasing and 
lively manners, and their various and delightful powers of 
song. In summer all nature is full of them. Some species 
inhabit our gardens: others, less familiar, confine themselves 
to the tufted banks of brooks and rivers : many reside chiefly 
on the skirts of woods and heaths ; and a few penetrate into 
the recesses of the forest. Everywhere we find these lovely 
and gifted little creatures; everywhere the ear is charmed 
with their melody, or the eye gratified by the sight of 
their light and graceful forms. They differ much in ha¬ 
bits, locality, and manners. Some thread their nimble 
way hardly perceived through the thick and tangled hedge; 
some climb among the reeds and osiers; some are seen 
swelling their little throats as in ecstasy they pour forth 
notes of gladness ; and others, unseen, warble their delicate 
and varied song from a close and quiet shelter. Many of the 
members of this interesting family are familiar in their ap¬ 
proaches to us, building their nests and bringing up their 
young within our sight; while others are little known but 
to the natiu’alist, who seeks them in the retired spots to which 
their instinct leads them for security. Some of these little 
