Mr. Thompson on the Birds of Ireland. 23 



low wren ranges equally to the counties jutting out to the 

 extreme south-west and north-west of the island, being com- 

 mon both to Kerry and to Donegal*. 



In the neighbourhood of Belfast this species generally ap- 

 pears about the middle of April, when its presence is at once 

 proclaimed by its song. In the years 1833 and 1834 it 

 arrived within the first week of this month, but in the back- 

 ward spring of 1 837 was later than ordinary. It is commonly 

 seen until the middle of September. On the 24th of this 

 month, and on the 10th of October 1832, 1 heard it sing ; on 

 the former occasion incessantly for about half an hour, or so 

 long as I gave attention. From the period of its arrival until 

 the moult commences, the song of the willow wren is con- 

 stantly heard ; and as soon as the moulting is over, is recom- 

 menced, often in a weaker tone, and continued during fine 

 weather until the very time of its departure. 



My friend at Cromac, who has had many nests of the 

 willow wren, describes them all to have been composed of 

 fine hay, — hence the name of " hay-bird" in some parts of 

 England, — and lined with feathers. They were situated on 

 the ground at the foot of trees, except in one instance, when 

 the nest was placed in the open meadow, several yards distant 

 from the hedge ; there was usually a long approach to them 

 through the brake. Towards the end of August I was once 

 amused on perceiving several willow wrens rising into the 

 air from some pea-rods in a garden, after the manner of the 

 spotted flycatcher when on its aerial captures, and thus two 

 of them were occasionally occupied at the same time. A few 

 flycatchers (Muscicapa grisola) were also on the pea-rods, 

 from which they now and then sallied after their winged prey, 

 having thus apparently prompted the S. Trochilus to these 

 flights. 



In the north of Ireland this species frequents plantations, 

 from those of the town-square to the most elevated on the 

 mountains. Although from the circumstance of its general 



* In Mr. Stewart's Catalogue it is set down as " common" in Donegal, 

 and so have T met with it there. By Mr. T. F. Neligan, of Tralee, it is 

 stated to be very common in Kerry. 



