BRITISH WARBLERS 



extent. In very wet weather they mope, and when in this 

 frame of mind it is possible to approach them very closely and 

 watch the vigorous attempts they make to dry themselves. 

 There is also at certain times towards the end of June a 

 cessation of their song for a few days, which, owing to its 

 curious spontaneity, must, I think, be due to changes of 

 weather. In cold frosty springs I have never been lucky 

 enough to find sufficient nests to enable me to form an 

 opinion as to the effect of frost on the eggs, so disastrous 

 to those of many species. 



These birds are entirely insectivorous, aphides in particular 

 forming a great part of their diet ; wood-lice, spiders, small 

 moths belonging to the family Geometrce are also taken; I 

 have also seen the males in June feeding upon the larva? of 

 Chimato bia brumata. 



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