BRITISH WAKBLEBS 



regarding the hours of darkness as the period of maximum 

 activity so far as movement from place to place is concerned. 

 We can observe but little trace of fatigue in these smaller 

 migrants. One would expect to find evidence of the long 

 journey — to see travel-stained, weary individuals — but, except- 

 ing in isolated cases which occur for the most part amongst 

 those species which face the storms of early spring, the 

 majority of the newcomers are on arrival just as vigorous 

 as they are a week or so later, neither do they show by 

 their plumage any trace of the difficulties through which 

 they have passed. The male awaits the arrival of a female 

 in his territory, and until she appears upon the scene passes 

 the greater part of his time in song or in searching for food. 

 He wanders restlessly around his territory, but his wanderings 

 are subject to that routine which is a peculiarity of so many 

 species. A habit is thus formed in his journeyings backwards 

 and forwards. Time after time one can observe the same 

 tree or bush searched for food and the same line of flight 

 taken between the various trees. A certain tree or clump 

 of trees is often especially favoured and used as a head- 

 quarters, from which he proclaims his presence by song. 

 The territories vary in size according to the nature of the 

 environment in which they are situated, and according, I 

 fancy, to the numerical standing of the species in the 

 particular locality. In large woods they are often extensive, 

 but in osier beds and plantations considerably smaller ; 

 in the former case the wanderings of the male may cover 

 as much as five acres of woodland, in the latter the bird has 

 to be content with an acre or even less. Where the birds are 

 numerous and territories adjoin one another, it is evident 

 that the movements of the males must be restricted; the 

 dimensions therefore become regulated automatically, and 

 are no doubt reduced to the minimum size necessary for 

 the welfare of the species. With regard to the initial 

 struggles between the males touching the question of 

 territory, I have little evidence. The females follow so 



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