A pocket-book of British birds / by E.F.M. Elms.

  • Elms, E. F. M.
Date:
1906
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A pocket-book of British birds / by E.F.M. Elms. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    aerobatic actions. Flight undulating. It sings persistently from April to July. It rarely alights on the ground, but when it does it hops much like a Robin. Food.—Insects chiefly; soft fruits in summer. Nest.—May onwards. Often two broods. Site.—On or very near the ground among thick grass, &c., or under bush or hedge. Materials.—Dry grass, dead leaves, and moss, lined with wool, rootlets, hair, and feathers. Nest cave-shaped. Epps.—Five to eight. White, spotted and speckled with reddish sienna-brown, much like some of the Tits’ eggs. WOOD WARBLER or WOOD WREN (Pliylloscopus sibilatrix). Migrant; April to September. Generally distributed; local in Scotland, rare in Ireland. Haunts.—As last, but essentially a bird of the woods. Observation.—Distinguished from its congeners by its larger size, brighter appearance, and rather longer wings. Plumage.—Superciliary streak over eyes bright yellow. Chin, throat, and breast white, suffused with yellow: upper parts yellowish green; wings greyish brown, edged with yellowish and tipped with white. Belly white. Rump and thighs yellow. Bill and legs brown. Length 5J in. Female similar. Young, yellower than adults. Language.—Song, clear and sweet, beginning slowly, then becoming faster, and ending in a tremulous, sibilous note, thus— “ twit-twit-twit-tit-tit-tit-ti-ti-ti-i-i-i.” Call-note, “ tee-er.” Alarm-note, “pi-o.” Habits.—Very similar to last two. Very restless and active in its movements. Specially fond of beech and oak trees. Food.-—Insects and their larvas. Small soft fruits. Nest.—May. Probably one brood only. Site.—On or very near the ground, well concealed by growing herbage, and nearly always in a wood, copse, or the like. Materials.—Dead leaves, grass, and moss, lined with finer grass and horsehair. Note.—Feathers never used as a lining, like the last two. Nest cave-shaped. Eggs.—Five to seven. White, well spotted and speckled with dark brown and purplish grey. Often zoned. REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus streperus). Migrant; April to September. Local, but abundant enough in suitable places in the South and south-eastern parts, rarer towards the North. Practically unknown in Scotland and Ireland.