rbler
delighted in, but I saw a few amongst some thick willow hedges with
thick grass and rushes growing by the side of the bank, and a small
running stream in each ditch. Though perfectly certain the birds were
breeding near, we could not find the nests. So well were they hidden
amongst the thick grass and herbage by the side of the stream that
Colonel l'Estrange and myself were quite beaten in our search for the
nest, though we saw the birds several times quite near enough to be
certain of their identity. I did not shoot one for the purpose of
identification, as perhaps I ought to have done, but I thought if I shot
one it would be extremely doubtful whether I should ever find it amongst
the thick tangle--certainly unless quite dead there would not have been
a chance. I felt quite certain, however, that all I saw were Sedge
Warblers; had I felt any doubt as to the possibility of one of them
turning out to be the Aquatic Warbler, _Acrocephalus aquaticus_, I
should certainly have tried the effect of a shot. As it is quite
possible, however, that the Aquatic Warbler may occasionally, or perhaps
regularly, in small numbers, visit the Channel Islands, as they are
quite within its geographical range, I may point out, for the benefit of
any one into whose hands it may fall, that it may easily be
distinguished from the Sedge Warbler by the pale streak passing through
the centre of the dark crown of the head.

The Sedge Warbler is not mentioned by Professor Ansted in his list, and
there is no specimen of either this or the Reed Warbler in the Museum.

37. DARTFORD WARBLER. _Melizophilus undatus,_ Boddaert. French, "Pitchou
Provencal," "Bee-fin Pittechou."--The Dartford Warbler is by no means
common in the Channel Islands--indeed I have never seen one there
myself, but Miss C.B. Carey records one in the 'Zoologist' for 1874 as
having been knocked down with a stone in the April of that year and
brought into Couch's shop, where she saw it. I have no doubt of the
correctness of this identification, as Miss Carey knew the bird well. I
see no reason why it should not be more common in Guernsey than is
usually supposed, as there are many places well suited to it, but its
rather dull plumage, and its habit of hiding itself in thick
furze-bushes, and creeping from one to another as soon as disturbed,
contribute to keep it much out of sight, unless one knows and can
imitate its call-note, in which case the male bird will soon answer a