BRITISH WARBLERS 



song ceases. Their song becomes hurried, new notes are 

 used, and the character of the song is completely altered. 

 They frequently imitate other species, and in addition give 

 utterance to unmusical sounds, which are most difficult to 

 describe, but are sometimes in the nature of a squeal, and at 

 other times more of a hissing, or, again, they may make use of 

 the deeper croaking note referred to previously. 



They are not early risers; the Blackbird has probably 

 piped for an hour before there is much stir amongst the 

 community. But a general awakening amongst them is often 

 caused by a male singing or uttering his alarm-note, and in 

 the latter case he may be joined by a female, apparently to 

 investigate the reason, but he rapidly darts off and joins, or is 

 joined by, other males. When the males thus collect together 

 they spread their tails, raise the feathers on their backs and 

 heads, and scold one another vigorously, often moving from 

 place to place. As many as four will sometimes collect round 

 one female, and their antics are then most ludicrous, all of 

 them being in a state of excitement, spreading and flirting their 

 tails. One will, perhaps, warble and imitate other species, 

 another will twist and turn about on a branch, frequently 

 hanging head downwards, and while doing so twisting his 

 head upwards in a grotesque manner. The female at such 

 times seems heedless of their behaviour, and they, on their 

 part, appear to hold her in little regard, for if one male flies 

 away the rest follow and leave her alone. The real husband, 

 if he happens to be present, makes no objection to the pro- 

 ceedings. A Nightingale sometimes has the same effect as 

 the female in drawing the males together, and at other times 

 a G-arden- Warbler uttering his harsh cry is quite sufficient, 

 and round the latter the males will collect, croaking and 

 screaming at one another. These outbursts of excitement on 

 the part of the males vary considerably day by day. In some 

 mornings they are almost incessant for an hour or so, and in 

 others they only occasionally take place. They are very 

 spasmodic ; everything may be perfectly quiet, when suddenly 



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