Tlii! localities selected fur nesting-pur poses are frequently so exceedingly similar, tliat 1 consider it
hopeless to attempt to point out any difference in this nepeet A thick tuft of grass in a hedgerow, or a
i veuieut shelter below some creeping hush in a plantation or wool, is frequently made use of liy both
species. The Willow-Wren at times resorts to situations in which to rear its brood considerably out of
character with those usually selected. Early in June 1807 I discovered a nest placed in a cavity among
some rough stones that had been built up like a wall \> strengthen tie' crumbling bunk below a hill-road
in tllenlyou.iu Perthshire. The structure, which was externally composed of the usual materials, such as
dried strands and blades of grass, looked somewhat singular among the grey and weather-beaten slabs of
ruck. It was located at least four feet from the level of the grouud, a tuft or two of short grass, a trailing
bramble, together with a few ivy.leaves being the sole signs of vegetation iu the immediate vicinity. The absence
of suitable cover could hardly have been the cause of such an exposed site being chosen, as within the distance
of a few yards a straggling grove of alder and hazel, with abundant undergrowth, stretched down to the banks
of tho Lyon. The hill-side alwve the road was also densely wooded, beech and larch forming the chief of
the larger timber. Here I have repeatedly noticed both Willow-and Wood-Wrens, and have also detected
their ucsts on several occasions. In many of the wild glens in this part of the country I found Willow-
Wrens excessively numerous in the plantations of silver birch among the hills, their notes being heard on
all sides during still weather in the early summer. In every instance where the uests came under tny
observation they wen' carefully concealed iu the same description of herbage to which the birds resort in
England, and frequently at no great distance from the rugged stem of one of the dropping birches. Though
the position, construction, and form (domed, with a side entrance) of the nests of the Willow-Wren and
riiilfcbaff differ but slightly, the e^gs vary considerably, and at once point out the species to which they
belong. The egg of the Willow-Wren has a pinkish-white ground, blotched with spots of light red towards
the larger end; while the markings on that of the Chiffohaff are of a el a ret-colour, aud generally more
diffused over the surface, the ground-tint being of the same beautiful aud transparent hue. .
The Willow.Wren is probably the commonest of the family, and on the whole more generally distributed
over the British Islands than either the Wood-Wren or the Cliiffehaff. I do not, however, consider this
species so abundant as the Wood-Wreu in the counties to the north of Inverness, whore I have as yet been
unable to detect the Chinx-han*. Early in the autumn UMM birds may be Man making their way to wards
the south coast. I have frequently remarked considerable additions to the natives of the locality iu the
neighbourhood of Brighton by the beginuiug of August. The lirst detnebments, I believe, take their
departure across the channel shortly after they have made their appearance in the district. For several
successive dajs at this seasou I have remarked the haunts lately alive with recent arrivals totally deserted,
till, with a change of weather, their places were filled by fresh comers. On fine still mornings (especially
with a light we-terly breeze, succeeding rain and heavy weather) these small migrants may be noticed
working their way slowly Iroiu cover to cover, steadily advancing towards the coast. As many as ten or n
dozen, or even a scon', may now and then he in view at one time in the gardens within a short distance of
the sea-slum', the whole parly eagerly searching for insects on the plants and vegetables, the rows of peas
being one of their favourite hunting-grounds. I) mhtless Willow-Wrens and Cbiifebalfs ore in company at
this season, though the task of naming each individual specimen as it Hits through the leaves would, I am
afraid, puzzle even our greatest authorities. During tin- spring a newly killed specimen may generally be
identified by the colour of the tarsi, those of the Willow-Wren being of u pale brownish tinge, while both
legs and feet of the Chiffehalf are considerably darker. Towards the end of summer, particularly with the
juveniles, this distinction is by no means so conspicuous. I have seen young birds whose identity it appeared
impossible to delermiue by a cursory glance. Although, as scientific writers inform us, the general colouring
of the plumage of the Willow-Wren is brighter than that of the Cliiffehaff, it would, I believe, on oloso
Wl IJjOW-WBEN.
investigation, be discovered that there is many an exception to this rule. The plumage of young birds of
this species is of a decidedly warmer tinge of yellow than the adults; immature Clulfohaffs also exhibit this
heightened colouring.
Almost every writer on ornithology has drawn attention to the pleasing note of this lively species; and
although I fully agree with them on this subject when the song is heard iu bright and sunny weather, I
have often remarked how excessively monotonous this frequently repeated ditty becomes if listened to in the
depths of some dense wood when black clouds aud a leaden sky foretell an impending storm. With the
exception of its relative the C'hilfcbaff, whose constant performance, under such circumstances, is still
more irritating, the voices of almost the whole of the feathered tribe are now hushed, though possibly
some pugnacious old cock Pheasant may give vent to a loud and startling crow iu response to the rumble of a
distant clap. As the gloom increases, and while scarcely a leaf is seen to stir in the sultry air, unless
disturbed by one of these irrepressible Warblers as it Hits from twig to twig, their wearisome notes cuutinue
to break out ou all sides. The heavy rain-drops as they patter on the leaves, aud the peals of thunder
echoing far and near, always appear a decided relief, the tiresome melody of these persevering birds being
either completely drowned hi the general downpour, or the musicians themselves forced to seek shelter till
the storm has passed over.
There is no more harmless species than the Willow-Wren among our British birds. Though it has
been reported that these Warblers occasionally feed on fruit, I am of Opinion this is a mistaken statement.
According to my own observations, insects of various kinds form almost if nut the whole of their humble
diet. When watching their habits during t lie early summer iu some of the northern forests where fir and birch
arc intermixed, I remarked that these Warblers almost exclusively confined their attentions tu the birch, the
particular insects they were then in quest of appearing to resort exclusively to the latter. Numbers of small
birds, consisting principally of Coai and Blue Tits, with occasional Goldcrests, and here and there a wondering
Crested Tit, might also be met with; but these, for the most part, wen lo bo seen closely investigating
the limbs of the fir. Prom an entry in one of my note-hooks under date of June 23rd, I find that quantities
of Willow-Wrens resorted to a garden in the east of Norfolk in order to feed ou the green aphides on the
currant-bushes. I observed these tiny scavengers were most assiduous iu clearing off this swarm of insects.
Scientific naturalists inform us that in tho Arctic regions the Willow-Wren {Pkf/ioKOjm* tmchilux)
loses aB traces of yellow and green in its plumage. To this form, vis. the Arctic Willow-Wren, I conclude
a specimen I shot in Sussex early iu Hay 1870 must he ascribed".
The Plate shows this specimen together with an ordinary individual (obtained in the spring) for
comparison, and renders all description of plumage unnecessary.
Before shooting tho bird I had little or no opportunity of observing it, the weather being exceedingly
blusterous. The note, which appeared to resemble that of a Whitethroat, first attracted my attention, when
I fired at once, being at the time engaged in procuring a few small birds for a tame OwL Owing to a
heavy shower it was impossible either to see clearly or hear distinctly; so I do not pretend to describe the
note accurately \ I merely state my first iinpressiou.