Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 2 of 9.djvu/24

 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