Think about it this way: Say $\dim X=\dim Y=n$. Then a component $\Delta$ of $D$ is in $D_k$ if and only if the general fiber of $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ has dimension $\dim \Delta -(\dim Y-k) = (n-1)-(n-k)=k-1$.
Now if $H$ is ample, then it intersects every positive dimensional subscheme and hence the intersection of $H$ with any positive dimensional fiber has codimension $1$ in that fiber. And this applies to $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ as well.
So, when will a component of $E=D\left|_{H}\right.$ be in $E_1$? First notice that since $H$ is general, its intersection with any component of $D$ is irreducible and hence the components of $E$ are just the restrictions of the components of $D$.
So, if $\Delta$ is a component of $D$, then $\Delta\left|_{H}\right.$
will be included in $E_1$ if and only if the general fiber of $f\left|_{\Delta\cap H}\right.$ has dimension $0$.
This can happen two ways:
- the general fiber of $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ has dimension $0$, i.e., $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ is also birational and then the same is true for the restrictionn of the map to a general very ample divisor, or
- the general fiber of $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ has dimension $1$, i.e., $\Delta$ is in $D_2$, but then the intersection of $H$ with any (including the general) fiber of $f\left|_{\Delta}\right.$ has codimension $1$, which means it is of dimension $0$.
Voilà.