Page:The British Warblers A History with Problems of Their Lives - 2 of 9.djvu/18

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BRITISH WARBLERS

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

Over the greater part of England and Wales it is commonly distributed, but in certain parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, Cardigan, Merioneth, and Carnarvon it is either scarce or somewhat local.

As a breeding species it is nowhere plentiful in Scotland. It occurs, however, in some numbers on the east side south of the Firth of Forth, but north of this it becomes rare, although it has been seen on migration in Caithness and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. From the Isle of Skye there is only one record, but individuals seem to visit the western isles, especially Harris, more frequently.

To Ireland it is a common summer visitor, and it is not uncommon in the Channel Islands.

It is found throughout the greater part of Europe. Commencing with, its most south-westerly breeding point, we find it very numerous in Portugal, and plentiful during migration in Spain, but very scarce in the breeding season.

In the provinces of Hautes Pyrenees and Pyrenees Orientales it is scarce, only being found occasionally as a breeding species. In some of the more western provinces of France, such as Morbihan and Manche, it is not very numerous, but throughout the remainder of the country common, especially in the Province of Savoie.

To Belgium and the Netherlands it is a common summer visitor. Continuing northwards, we find it abundant on migration in Heligoland, and not uncommon during the same period in Denmark. In the south-east part of Jutland it has been found breeding. In Norway and Sweden it re-appears as a breeding species, reaching, in Norway, as far north as Bodo and Saltdalen. On the western side generally of Norway it is not common, but increases in numbers round Trondhiem. In the southern part of Sweden it is only seen on migration, but in the central and western parts it is common.

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