THE WARBLERS. 
197 
have been procured by Professor SIovzow. In the Ural Moun- 
tains its range is given as 50° N. lat. It occurs in the Caucasus 
and North-western Persia, and breeds in Palestine, according 
to Canon Tristram. In winter it migrates to Africa, as it has 
been found in Datnara Land, the Transvaal, and the eastern 
Cape Colony. The route taken by the species is mostly by the 
Nile Valley and through Equatorial Africa, as it has been pro- 
cured by Emin Pasha at Tingasi, and has also been obtained in 
Nyassa Land ; it occurs, moreover, on the Gold Coast. 
Habits. — The Garden-Warbler is a somewhat later arrival 
than the bulk of our summer birds, only reaching our islands 
in the beginning of May, and leaving again in September. Its 
unobtrusive plumage and retiring habits render it much less 
observable than the Blackcap, which in form and habits it so 
closely resembles. Its song is scarcely inferior to that of the 
last-named species, and, like the Blackcap and the Nightingale, 
it seldom sings in the open or from a perch, but generally from 
the thick undergrowth, in which it loves to skulk. Some- 
times, however, it may be seen to lly out into the air in pursuit 
of an insect, of which its food almost entirely consists, though 
it also devours berries and fruits. This is certainly the case in 
autumn, when the birds may often be seen on elder-bushes 
devouring the berries, in company with Blackcaps. At other 
times of the year, however, these two species do not consort 
together, but, on the contrary, seem to occupy different locali- 
ties, so that where the Blackcaps are common there are few 
Garden- Warblers, and vice versci. 
Best. — Generally placed near the ground in some secluded 
spot, and usually so well concealed that neither the eggs nor 
the sitting bird can be seen. Sometimes it is suspended in 
nettles, like that of the Whitethroat, and at other times among 
the thin twigs of the briars which are overhung with foliage, so 
as to conceal the nest. The latter is very slightly constructed 
of dry grasses and a few small rootlets, with a little moss or a 
few cobwebs, and lined with horsehair. 
Eggs. — Tour or five in number, more rarely six. In general 
appearance the eggs are just like those of the Blackcap, but, as 
a rule, the markings appear to be bolder and coarser than is 
usual in that species, The red type, which is such a beautiful 
