THE HOME OF THE WILLOW- WREN 49 



assumes an almost lackadaisical air, his head 

 held down, and his wings wide open and flutter- 

 ing gently like those of a tortoiseshell butterfly, 

 when the gaudy insect, on wooing bent, climbs 

 over the edge of a flower. Occasionally, to 

 break the monotony of his entreating gestures, 

 or as if afraid that he is beginning to look 

 foolish in the eyes of his lady-love, the willow- 

 wren stretches upwards to peck at a leaf-bud or 

 willow-catkin ; then leisurely settles down to his 

 love-making again, as if it were a hopeless but 

 fascinating pursuit ; while the coy recipient of 

 his springtide blandishments answers him with 

 a mocking, irritating call, from the neighbouring 

 tree. Presently she flies away ; and half in 

 sport, half in earnest, he chases her in and out 

 of the thickets with a persistency that defies 

 her modest remonstrances, and for that very 

 reason, perhaps, at last appeals to her secret 

 admiration for her swift and strong-willed lover. 

 The willow-warbler, or '' yellow wren," as he 

 is named by the country-folk, may by that 

 local description be readily distinguished from 

 the many other warblers which in summer fill 

 our woodlands with song. His sweet under- 

 tones, as of subdued and tranquil joy, with 

 which is blended the faintest trace of regret and 

 sorrow, are heard from morning till night as 

 he threads his way through the thickest tangles, 



