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 and flutter up to the topmost twig of the furze-bush in which it may have previously been concealed, fluttering its wings, and repeating the call until again disturbed.  This is the only occurrence of which I am aware in any of the Islands, included in the limits I have prescribed for myself; but Mr. Harvie Brown has recorded two seen by him near Greve de Lecq, in Jersey, in January.  See ‘Zoologist’ for 1869, p. 1561.

It is not included in Professor Ansted’s list, and there is no specimen in the Museum.