Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 3 of 9.djvu/17

 During the winter it visits the Soudan, Abyssinia, Somaliland and British East Africa as far south as the River Athi.

Solitary individuals remain in the south of England and Ireland during the winter months.

There are many facts in the life of this bird which are good examples of the contradictory nature of the evidence a naturalist has often to face, and this makes the character of the species an unusually interesting one. The different individuals are full of energy, very restless, and, in addition, not only possess a number of characteristics common to many of the lower animals, but possess them in a greater degree than other closely allied species. Whatever part, therefore, they have to play, whether quarrelling, singing, making preparations for and tending their young, or exhibiting apparent jealousy towards their neighbours, they do it to the best of their ability. This is probably why they are so much in evidence in the woods and groves they love to inhabit, and this is also the cause of the endless peculiarities of character, of which each member of the species partakes alike.

Their arrival, which does not seem to depend upon any climatic conditions here, but is no doubt influenced by the prevailing winds outside the British Islands, is very erratic. The earliest date I have noticed is March 30th, but on the other hand, it has been as late as April 23rd before the first one reached this district.

The first males are solitary individuals scattered through the country; they might be called forerunners, since there is often a pause of a few days before the general body of the migrants follow.

Until recently I believed that these males were always mature, with both plumage and song fully developed, but I