Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 8 of 9.djvu/65

 and again goes in search of more as if the completion of the nest were a matter of urgent importance. Then she ceases as suddenly as she commenced and for a while neglects her responsibilities. The periods of activity recur at intervals until the nest is completed some four or five days after the foundation is laid, the intermediate time being spent with her mate either in searching for food or in those mutual pursuits and gambols which are probably sexual in origin. When she is actually engaged in her work, the male is usually close at hand uttering his call note or watching her movements from a distance of a few yards only. The nest is similar in type to that of the Chiff-chaff or Willow Warbler, and, as a rule, is well concealed in a wooded bank or in some hollow in the ground. It is oval in shape and constructed principally of decayed grasses and leaves, the foundation and exterior being composed of coarse bladed grass with an admixture of dead leaves and the interior of a finer grass which at the same time constitutes the lining. Amongst the decayed vegetable matter which is utilised we again meet with the bark of the honeysuckle. This bark, as I explained in the life of the Willow Warbler, peels away from the wood of itself and hangs from the branch in long strands which are readily obtained by the bird. So that these three species, the Chiff-chaff, Willow, and Wood Warbler, make use of it for a similar purpose. Some remarks concerning this habit and a confession of ignorance as to its interpretation will be found in the life of the Willow Warbler. Comparing the nest of the Wood Warbler with that of the Chiff-chaff or Willow Warbler we find that there is one essential point in which it differs from theirs, namely, in the lining, which is of fine grass instead of feathers; a detail of minor importance some may say, but all details appear to be of minor importance until we attempt to explain them. When we consider that the environment of the Wood and Willow Warbler is similar, the position of their nest similar and the shape and material of which it is composed similar, while only the lining is