122 
SYLVIAD.E. 
become acquainted witli its habits, and with its mode of 
subsistence during the cold months of winter, when winged 
insects, which appear to be its food in summer, cannot be ob¬ 
tained. In Surrey we have seen this little bird in several 
places, such as Wimbledon Common, Burwood Common, the 
vicinity of St. George’s Hill and other parts, generally in the 
act of flying for shelter, Avhich they do on the least alarm. 
They are sometimes seen perched upon the upper sprays of the 
furze bushes, or rising up a few feet above them, singing 
their little song. On the approach of a human form, they 
flit from branch to branch, until hidden within the interior 
of their thorny shelter, whence it is very difficult again to dis¬ 
lodge them, as they creep from one bush to another; and 
their dark plumage also tends still further to conceal them. 
The nest of this species is usually found among the largest 
and tallest furze bushes, where they are closely matted 
Avith brambles, and difficult of access, and can seldom be 
discovered, except when the birds are building, or in the act 
of carrying in food to their young. It resembles much in 
structure that of the whitethroat, and is constructed of similar 
materials. One in our possession is composed externally of 
stems of one of the galium family, lined with the long stiff 
stalks of some umbelliferous plant, and a few long hairs. 
This nest is so transparent, that on holding it up to the 
light, the form of the eggs may be seen through it, yet so 
Avell put together, that neither a straw nor hair can be taken 
from within, unless Avith a sort of violence. Some, which 
ai’e built with broader grass and a little avooI, are more sub¬ 
stantial in appearance, and less pervious to the eye. 
The eggs of the Hartford Warbler, which measure about 
nine lines in length, bear much resemblance to the paler 
specimens of those of the whitethroat. The characteristic 
zone of ash-grey spots, round the larger end, is very faintly 
defined upon a stone coloured ground ; and the Avhole sur¬ 
face is equally mottled over Avith olive broAvn. 
