GRASSHOPPER WARBLER. 



characterises the field birds. When all together, 

 however, it is not like any of them ; but stands 

 alone, in appearance, in voice, and in habits. 



The fore part of this bird is very thickly, and the 

 whole bird very closely feathered, presenting no 

 point that can be broken and no place that can be 

 easily ruffled on a forward motion ; so that the 

 bird slides unhurt through places where birds of 

 different form and plumage would be torn in pieces. 

 The closest hedge or brake presents no barrier 

 to it ; so that it slips into the hedge one knows not 

 where ; and threading along without stirring a 

 twig, it will apparently in an instant slip out again 

 at the distance of several yards. It does not often 

 leave its cover ; and one may watch, and even beat 

 the brake, hearing it, but without being able to see 

 either it or its nest, for the nest is as well hidden 

 as the bird is expert at hiding. In the hedges and 

 bramble brakes (Mr. Mudie says) the materials are 

 the withered stems of trailing plants ; and in furze 

 bushes, where those plants are not so abundant, 

 they are more mossy. The eggs are four or five, 

 of a bluish-white, with very obscure rust-coloured 

 mottlings.* 



Mudie's British Birds. 



