Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/341

Rh grass, which it resembles in appearance, being lined with a profusion of poultry-feathers, and is a most warm and comfortable little structure. The bird lays from six to eight eggs, of a delicate rosy white, spotted very thickly with dusky red spots. I have seen the nest lined with long dark hairs, and also with the seed-branches of field-grasses, but such is not commonly the case. It should be noted that this beautiful little warbler gives forth his fresh notes during all the vernal months, but is mute about July 12; his song gradually decreases in power and melody towards Midsummer, and then dies away.

He may be noticed, after spring, about orchards, searching for grubs and caterpillars, and small insects, amongst the fruits and leaves, and no doubt renders considerable service to the horticulturist. Indeed the number of destructive insects consumed during the breeding season by all birds is truly surprising, and it has been ascertained by accurate observation, that all birds do more good than harm, by the innumerable quantities they destroy, and ought not, on that account, to be molested in flower or fruit garden.

swallow tribe, and some other birds of passage, possess such ample powers of flight, that their migration from one country to another cannot occasion much surprise; but with the warblers the case is totally different; their general habits,—flitting from bush to bush, or skulking beneath the covert of a hedge, seldom displaying any more vigorous effort than that of hovering round the branch of a tree,—seem quite to preclude the idea of their being capable of undertaking long and difficult excursions on the wing. But on looking at a map of the Mediterranean sea, dotted with islands throughout its whole extent, we shall perceive that no very prolonged flight is necessary, and that there is no lack of resting-places, where the way-worn travellers may recruit themselves awhile after their harassing journey, and again, with renewed strength, resume their flight to the clime appointed for them.

Accordingly, from the testimony of many scientific and accurate observers, we shall find that these islands are selected as resting-places, by the various groups of feathered emigrants, whose course leads them in that direction; and also, that the times when they make a