GARDEN WARBLER 



way related to her presence. He shares this peculiarity with 

 other species. In the life of the Willow Warbler I expressed 

 an opinion as to the exact relation the song may bear to the 

 presence of the female, and I believe that the explanation 

 there suggested holds good in this instance. Now the 

 behaviour of certain males during the first half of July is 

 similar to that which we can observe at the commencement of 

 the breeding season. It is difficult to trace the origin of such 

 behaviour ; it may be due to a recurrence of sexual activity 

 before a second brood, or perhaps to a specially late arrival 

 of some individuals. Objection can be raised to either 

 assumption. Though a second brood may be reared if the 

 first attempt has proved abortive, yet it is doubtful whether 

 such a proceeding is normal in the sexual life of the species. 

 On the other hand, is it likely that males can arrive so late 

 as the latter part of June and only then commence the task 

 of reproduction ? There is something to be said for this. On 

 more than one occasion I have noticed about the third week 

 in June an influx of individuals, belonging to various species, 

 brilliant in plumage and bearing no trace of wear or conjuga- 

 tion. But, whatever the explanation may be, the behaviour 

 without a doubt takes its root in the sexual instinct — the 

 attitudes betoken nothing if not sexual desire — and I am 

 inclined to think that it could be described as even more 

 suffused with feeling tone than is customary earlier in the 

 season. At this period the male commences to sing about 

 three o'clock in the morning ; he does not, however, burst 

 forthwith into a full flood of song, but warbles for a short 

 space, then lapses into silence, repeating the process with a 

 gradual lengthening of the singing period. Within his 

 territory he wanders from tree to tree and sometimes floats 

 from one tree to another on outspread wings, warbling as he 

 flies, and upon the female uttering a call note in the bushes 

 beneath, he flies or rather floats down to her and commences 

 to warble excitedly, she, on her part, producing a quiet purring 

 sound. After a short time he flies up to the trees, then again 



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