BRITISH WARBLERS 
is the hardiest of his tribe, first to come and last to leave, 
but a greater range of food may be the cause of this. There 
are, however, exceptions to the rule. If, for instance, the 
migratory movement is interrupted by abnormal climatic 
- conditions, such as occurred in the year 1906 on the 
Continent, then, when at last they do reach this country, 
they appear to be tired and listless, keeping low down amongst 
the bushes, searching eagerly for food, occasionally calling 
plaintively, but not singing; sometimes preening their feathers 
and spreading their wings and tail in the fitful gleams of 
sunshine, but all their movements seem sluggish, lacking their 
usual activity, in striking contrast to the later arrivals. If - 
bad weather prevails—a series of gales especially, which is 
frequently the case at this period—then they remain low down 
in the bushes and hedgerows, singing, if at all, very quietly. 
They do not seem to have a preference for any particular 
situation as a home, but distribute themselves evenly over the 
land, although they appear to avoid the interior of very large 
woods and dense larch coverts. 
The male is a most active little creature, and this restless 
activity seems to strike one more on his first arrival, his 
movements are so neat and delicate, and are so fascinating 
to watch. One minute he may be in the tops of the tallest 
trees, the next down in the hedgerows, carefully examining 
every leaf and twig as he passes for food, which is none too 
plentiful, singing when he can allow himself time to do so, 
apparently wandering aimlessly along. But if watched very 
closely it will be noticed that each one, like other members 
of, the race, has certain well-defined hunting grounds; that 
although he is in the top of a tree one moment, down in the 
undergrowth the next, and again apparently darting away 
through the trees, yet he will- return to the tree he started 
from, and so commence his rounds again. 
Now this breeding territory is a matter of the greatest 
importance to the males, frequently leading to serious and 
protracted struggles when two of them are desirous of 
8 
