Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 3 of 9.djvu/48

 song ceases. Their song becomes hurried, new notes are used, and the character of the song is completely altered. They frequently imitate other species, and in addition give utterance to unmusical sounds, which are most difficult to describe, but are sometimes in the nature of a squeal, and at other times more of a hissing, or, again, they may make use of the deeper croaking note referred to previously.

They are not early risers; the Blackbird has probably piped for an hour before there is much stir amongst the community. But a general awakening amongst them is often caused by a male singing or uttering his alarm-note, and in the latter case he may be joined by a female, apparently to investigate the reason, but he rapidly darts off and joins, or is joined by, other males. When the males thus collect together they spread their tails, raise the feathers on their backs and heads, and scold one another vigorously, often moving from place to place. As many as four will sometimes collect round one female, and their antics are then most ludicrous, all of them being in a state of excitement, spreading and flirting their tails. One will, perhaps, warble and imitate other species, another will twist and turn about on a branch, frequently hanging head downwards, and while doing so twisting his head upwards in a grotesque manner. The female at such times seems heedless of their behaviour, and they, on their part, appear to hold her in little regard, for if one male flies away the rest follow and leave her alone. The real husband, if he happens to be present, makes no objection to the proceedings. A Nightingale sometimes has the same effect as the female in drawing the males together, and at other times a Garden-Warbler uttering his harsh cry is quite sufficient, and round the latter the males will collect, croaking and screaming at one another. These outbursts of excitement on the part of the males vary considerably day by day. In some mornings they are almost incessant for an hour or so, and in others they only occasionally take place. They are very spasmodic; everything may be perfectly quiet, when suddenly