. Our native songsters . eated, andsounded very long; then follow the same sounds,uttered -with great rapidity, and accompanied bya vibration of its wings. This songis usually sungfrom the summit of some old oak or beech, for itis in old woods, where the trees are thick andhigh, that this bird chiefly delights to dwell. Itarrives in England at about the end of April, andleaves us in September; and it may be heardsinging its shrill song almost all the summer,sometimes uttering it on the wing. Unlike mostof our singing birds, it does not moult in autumn,but remains in its old plumage, and migrat
. Our native songsters . eated, andsounded very long; then follow the same sounds,uttered -with great rapidity, and accompanied bya vibration of its wings. This songis usually sungfrom the summit of some old oak or beech, for itis in old woods, where the trees are thick andhigh, that this bird chiefly delights to dwell. Itarrives in England at about the end of April, andleaves us in September; and it may be heardsinging its shrill song almost all the summer,sometimes uttering it on the wing. Unlike mostof our singing birds, it does not moult in autumn,but remains in its old plumage, and migrateswithout resigning its plumes. This bird is very skilful in catching insects,either while on the wing, or when searching forthem diligently in the crevices of the bark, oramong the foliage of trees. It conceals its domednest so cleverly, as that only an experienced bird-nester will find it out; but it may be distinguishedfrom the very similar nests of the allied species,by the absence of feathers on the inside, it being. THE DARTFORD WARBLER. S3 invariably lined with line grass and hair. Words-wortlis verses well describe it:— So warm, so beautiful withal,In perfect fitness for its aim ;That to the kind, by special instinct sm*ely came. And when for their abodes they seekAn opportune recess,The Hermit has no finer eyeFor shadowy quietness. Oft in sequesterd lanes they build,^^^lere, till the birds return,Her eggs within the nest rehcs in an um. The eggs of this bird arc six in number, andhave a white giound, which is, however, almosthidden by numerous spots and speckles of darkpurplish red or ash colour. The rare Dartford Warbler* {MelizopJiilus Dart-fordiensis), sings as early as the month of February,and for its sweet, though hurried song, deservesmention among our singing birds. It is somewliatweak, but very pleasing. This bird is often * The Dartford Warbler is about five inches in length. Upperplumage generally greyish black, approaching to brown
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Photo credit: © Reading Room 2020 / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1853
