BIRDS OF THE DISTRICT OF STAINES. 181 



Lesser Whttethroat (S. curruca). — Not so conspicuous as 

 its relative, but its skulking habits are apt to cause it to be over- 

 looked until it brings its young into the gardens at the beginning 

 of the fruit season. 



Blackcap {S. atricapilla). — Sparsely distributed. The little 

 red-capped hen is a most devoted mother. Once when I dis- 

 turbed one from her nest, she flew at and brushed my face with 

 her wing. On another occasion the bird only just left the nest, 

 and remained on a branch within a few feet, quivering all over 

 with anxiety, absolutely fearless for herself. 



Garden- Warbler (S. hortensis). — In early spring great num- 

 bers occur, and for some days the country-side is full of their 

 song ; but they gradually move away again, and comparatively 

 few remain to nest. I have several times found the Garden- 

 Warbler and Blackcap nesting close together. , 



Golden-crested Wren (Regulus cristatus). — More often seen 

 in winter and early spring ; sometimes joins the family parties 

 of Long-tailed Tits. Not known to breed. 



Fire-crested Wren (R. ignicapillus). — Of rare occurrence 

 only. 



Willow- Wren (Phylloscopus trochilus). — The song is heard 

 from every copse in spring, and again in autumn there is a great 

 revival of its notes. I have heard it singing cheerily until well 

 on towards the middle of October. 



Beed-Warbler (Acrocephalus streperus). — There are large 

 numbers along the river-banks, but they are curiously local, and 

 seem to breed in small colonies, for where one nest is found 

 there are sure to be several more in the immediate vicinity. 

 From early in June the Cuckoo shows great partiality for this 

 bird's nest, and it must be quite convenient for her to deposit 

 her eggs all around the same spot. That the convenience is 

 appreciated is shown by my having frequently found several 

 Beed- Warblers' nests, each containing a Cuckoo's egg, within a 

 distance of a few hundred yards. 



Sedge -Warbler (A. phragmitis). — More evenly distributed 

 than the Beed-Warbler, and during May this is the favourite 

 nest of the Cuckoo. The Sedge- Warbler is an untiring songster, 

 and its babbling notes continue far into the night. Two broods 

 are reared, but I have never found a Cuckoo's egg in the second 



