REED-WARBLER.
dense re*d.bed. In the neighbourhood of the larger broads. In these localities the Cuckoo frequently select,
the ltccd-WorUer as a fo,tcr-parent for Hs troublesome offspring.
The immense qnantities of minute bnot. that abound throughout the rno.st and rush-growu dtstnets
frequented by this specie, afford an endless supply of food. When brought up in a boat Ushmg m some
quiet comer "of the broads, I repeatedly remarked these Warblers Hitting across the water, carrying m then
mouth, the .ingles, bodies of a pale buffcoloured moth. On shooting one or two of the b.,,1. ,t was
discoyered that the remain, of the inseet somewhat resembled the speeie, eaptnrod by the Dar ford Marblers
for their young. It i, probable, howerer, that the moth belonged to some other genu, of the Leneamda,,
possibly Xvnuyria canine.
NIGHTINGALE.
PHILOMELA LUSCINIA.
ACCORDISO to my own observations, the range of this favourite songster is decidedly limited over llie Uritish
Islands. I have only met with it in the south-eastern counties, and have been unable to identify a single
specimen further north than the borders of Norfolk.
The males of this species make their appearance on the soutli coast at least a week or ten days in advaneo
of the females, the earliest arrivals Itoing usually noticed during the second neck in April. The song is then
continued for a month or sis weeks, after which it is heard no more, the bird simply giving notice of its
presence by a curious croaking note of warning to hs young.
Hundreds are annually taken in traps on their first appearance in tin' spring, though but a small number
of these wretched captives survive for any length of time. One fourth at least, under even the most
favourable cireuinstances, or possibly more than half should a delay occur before the newly caught birds
receive attention, pine away and die during the process of " mealing otf " ' . Strong, healthy, and early-caught
birds are meated elf in three days ; the majority of those requiring a longer time grow thin, and of these but
few recover. Dealers state that about four fifths that outlive the first week of their captivity usually break
out in song in a fortnight, the note being continued in some instances for five or six weeks. A few, I suppose,
occasionally become thoroughly reconciled to confinement should they happen to fall into the hands of those
acquainted with their habits and willing to alTord the constant care and attention that is necessary. All,
however, that have come under my observation were such wretch.il mockeries of the birds in the stale in which
I have been accustomed to watch them as to be positively painful to behold.
A meal-worm is a bait this species is unable to resist; and by means of one of these insects impaled on a
pin in a spring-trap of the very simplest construction, the unfortunale birds are enticed to their doom. The
quantities captured in the neighbourhood of Loudon, Brighton, and other parts of the south would appear
incredible to nny one who has not watched the proceeding, and noted the ea-o and rapidity with which almost
every bird either seen or heard can be secured. There are certain spots, well known to the professional?, who
follow this occupation, where Nightingales are sure to be met with the first fine morning after their arrival.
Even if the note is not audible (and this seldom occurs) an experienced catcher speedily detects the esaet
positions the birds have taken up. Carefully noting every movement among the branches, their whereabouts
is at once ascertained when they lly down from the covert or hedgerow to search for a few moments for
food iu the ditch round the wood-side, or a yard or two out in some grass-field. The red feathers in the
tail attract attention in the bright sunlight at a considerable distance, even if their actions were not
unmistakable to experienced eyes. A trap having been placed within view of the perch where the bird has
• Amend prnftMionnl catcher! » tiitdii tcrmrsl " mealed off" ni soon as il will feed itiulf. Almnnlany frtisruaught Siglilimjalc will nuen-
DU»1J- devour living lueiil-vroriiis. ; but nu link' i-jre jud c^uTimcc L- needed Iu induce tuoLU ti> take of their own accord ihi scrsiml Im'f. julk of
CLV. i.iul "ill. r ['I'j LTn'i u- wall tiki, h ih.y au' Mi|>|.]]cd,