Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 6 of 9.djvu/31

 which extended throughout its entire length. In some places it was more or less open, in others thickly covered with undergrowth consisting principally of hazel, bramble, and honeysuckle, and scattered here and there were such trees as oak, ash and beech. The territory I am speaking of more particularly, and to which I shall refer as No. 2, was about fifty yards in length and embraced a portion of the wood thickly covered with undergrowth. Being away from home for a few days about the middle of April. I do not know the exact date upon which the male arrived, and any initial struggle which may have occurred over the question of territory was consequently missed. On April 20th three males occupied the three adjoining territories, and the scenes which have already been described as usual previous to the advent of a female were constantly occurring between the three individuals. An oak tree situated at one end of No. 2 territory was often resorted to by the owner and may have been his headquarters; in any case he made considerable use of it, and there passed much of his time in song. From it, too, and from other parts of his territory, he was wont to make excursions into the willows. Here also he sometimes encountered No. 3 male, when a struggle usually ensued. On the morning of April 23rd three birds were in No. 2 territory, one of which I believed to be a female. This was soon confirmed, for the owner of the territory summoned by her quiet singing approached, and the usual scenes of excitement then followed. For short intervals she left him, and once wandered into No. 3 territory, but soon returned to No. 2. In the evening she was on the edge of No. 1 territory, from which she was pursued by No. 2 male, who followed her back into his own territory. Another single bird now entered and remained in this territory for a time, being sometimes pursued by the owner. April 25th found the pair together, excitement subsiding, and the male not singing so much as usual. On April 26th the female was building, the nest being situated in one corner of the territory on the boundary of