BRITISH WARBLERS 



intrusion upon, and apparent desire to be a spectator of, the 

 quarrels and tragedies in the bird life of the surrounding 

 district, so inseparable from the habits of the Chiff-chaff. At 

 the same time it is not likely that it is altogether absent, 

 but it is safe to say that it is by no means present in a 

 similar degree, for whereas the inquisitive nature of the Chiff- 

 chaff is constantly forcing itself upon our attention, that of 

 the Willow Warbler has to be sought for. and can only be 

 observed with difficulty, which of itself is evidence of con- 

 siderable difference in the character of the two species. 



The vocal powers are more highly developed than those of 

 the Chiff-chaff. The song is unusually plaintive and sweet, 

 appealing to some ears in a manner in which no other song is 

 capable of doing. This is not difficult to understand, for in a 

 wood inhabited by a number of different individuals the constant 

 singing in reply to one another results in a concert which no 

 one could fail to enjoy. When in full song early in the spring 

 the bird utters its complete song from five to seven times a 

 minute, and continues often for many minutes in succession 

 without a pause, but when busily engaged in searching for 

 food its song is heard more intermittently. Between the song 

 of different individuals there seems to my ear to be a certain 

 amount of variation, but I do not feel competent to judge 

 wherein exactly it lies, although the difference often appears 

 to be connected with the pitch ; and I am not at all sure 

 that the same individual does not at times vary its song, in 

 addition to its frequent habit of commencing in the middle 

 and leaving out the higher notes. The song really consists 

 of so few notes and the difference between the notes is so 

 slight, that any attempt to resolve it into its constituent 

 parts is very difficult. In different localities there is consider- 

 able variation, which is in a great measure due to alteration in 

 the pitch. On the west coast of Ireland, for instance, the 

 tone is deeper, whereas in Hungary it is higher, and, to my 

 ear at least, not so pleasing. In addition to the song there are 

 sundry call notes, and the most common one to which I have 



28 



