BIRDS OF THE WOODLANDS 93 



It mounts up full and round, then runs down the 

 scale and expires upon the air in a gentle murmur." 



The Willow Wren, unlike many of its congeners, 

 has few local prejudices. Wherever trees are to be 

 found, in plantation or copse, in garden or orchard, 

 there it may be seen, flitting happily amidst the 

 boughs, often darting into the air to seize a fly and 

 returning to its perch. 



Frequently several may be heard singing together 

 within an area of a few yards. 



The Chiffchaff, although generally known as a 

 summer visitor, appears to have the strongest attach- 

 ment to England of any of its kin. Not only is it 

 the first to reach this country and the latest to leave, 

 but it often elects to spend the whole winter in the 

 British Isles, especially in the more sheltered parts 

 of Devon and Cornwall. In many of its habits, 

 particularly in the manner of nest-building, it 

 resembles the W^illow Wren ; the nest, however, 

 being generally placed at a greater elevation. 



The chief difference lies in the song — if, indeed, 

 the Chift'chaft's cry can be called a song- — consisting 

 as it does merely of two notes frequently repeated. 

 Unlike most warblers, which usually become silent 

 w^ien the voung are hatched, the Chiffchaft' is vocal 

 far into the autumn, and instances are given of its 

 notes having been heard in the depths of winter. 



It is an active, restless bird, but although it has 

 little of the Willow Wren's gentle and confiding 

 disposition, it still lacks the love of deep seclusion 

 which is so marked a characteristic of the Wood 

 Wren. It is rarely seen on the lowlier boughs of 



