Queries and Answers. 485 



this densely populated kingdom. — E. Blyth. Tooting, March 

 10. 1836. 



Is not the Sylvia hippolais Lath. (S. Ibquax Herbert) indige- 

 nous ? Its arrival is usually dated about the end of March, or 

 the commencement of April; or, if individuals have been no- 

 ticed previously to this, the circumstance has been considered as 

 remarkable. Our zealous countryman, Montagu, has seen it 

 so early as February, and even January ; but these were only 

 single specimens, which had wintered in Britain, contrary to 

 the supposed custom of the species, which is said to depart in 

 October. Now, I am inclined to a different opinion, founded 

 on several years' experience. In ordinary winters I have rarely 

 met with the hedge warbler previous to April 1. ; but, in the 

 few last remarkably mild and open seasons, I have known of 

 a considerably earlier appearance. In 1833, the first indivi- 

 dual was seen on March 6.; in 1834, on March 2., in 1835, 

 on Feb. 16.; and in 1836, on Feb. 6. Now, previously to 

 the above-mentioned periods, not a single individual had been 

 seen, which might be supposed to be proof positive that the 

 species is migratory in Britain. But, then, we must take into 

 consideration its extreme shyness; and I dare say that the 

 field ornithologist will at once believe me when I say, that, for 

 the last two months (Feb. and March), I have only twice seen 

 this species in these parts, though it is here quite plentiful, 

 and may be heard at all hours of the day. Thus, it is by no 

 means improbable that it may winter with us, without ever 

 being seen or heard ; especially as, I believe, it has no chirp 

 or call-note, but only its monotonous summer ditty, which has 

 been, strangely enough, likened to the words, chiff 'chaff, chiffy 

 chaffy. Indeed, it is little likely that the bird would take its 

 departure only for so short a period as three months, which 

 would actually have been the case during the past season, as 

 the last individuals seen here in the autumn of 1835 were 

 seen on Oct. 28., and the first this year was heard on Feb. 5. 

 That this extremely early appearance did not only take place 

 in this county, I have ascertained from personal observation, 

 having seen it, towards the close of February, about Leaming- 

 ton and Southam, and likewise, in great abundance, near 

 Worcester. Mr. Blyth informs me that he saw the first in- 

 dividual in Surrey, in the latter part of March ; but I think it 

 probable that it must have been heard very considerably before 

 that time in so southerly a station. That individuals have 

 wintered in this island is quite certain ; and future observation 

 may possibly discover the species to be either wholly or par- 

 tially indigenous to Britain. That it could brave the rigours of 

 our northern winters, there is, 1 think, no doubt, as the gold- 



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