04 
SYLVIAD.E. 
low grounds, frequenting the margins of streams and low 
damp meadows, and frequently, if a return of cold and snow 
overtakes them on their passage, they approach dwellings and 
farmhouses in search of food. 
From Greece, Italy, and Spain, these birds are found, in 
summer, as far as Lapland ; but, except during their migra¬ 
tory passage, are nowhere very plentiful, or their habits 
chiefly confining them to retired and unfrequented places, 
render them seldom seen. They arrive in Europe towards 
the end of March, or the beginning of April, the males 
always preceding the females by about a week, and begin 
their departure in August, or September, when they are be¬ 
lieved to travel chiefly by night, and alone. 
The localities most frequented by these Warblers, on their 
first arrival, are rivulets and swampy pools, marshes inter¬ 
spersed with willow and alder, and other aquatic trees, or 
abounding in reeds, flags, and rank herbage. In such places 
they conceal themselves so effectually, that, except by a very 
attentive observer, acquainted with their habits, they are 
rarely seen, especially after the leaves are fully come out 
upon the trees. Occasionally, the male may be observed 
sitting, for a few minutes at a time, singing among the upper 
branches of a low tree; but he does not long remain thus 
exposed, but, quickly descending, seeks again the shelter of 
the reeds and underwood. It is in situations of this descrip¬ 
tion that the Blue-breasted Warbler passes the early part of 
the summer, in which also it breeds. Its nest is always built 
either on, or very near the ground, but, on account of the 
swampy or marshy nature of the locality usually chosen, it is 
always difficult to find, and sometimes inaccessible. It is 
mostly constructed among the remains of decaying herbage, 
fallen rushes, or tangled roots, sometimes partly concealed 
in a hole among broken ground. The nest is much like that 
of the redbreast, composed externally of dead willow leaves 
