BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 6;53 



with the Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, &c., on 

 gooseberries and currants. 



42. Wood Warbler. Phyllopneuste sylvicola. A summer visitor, 

 arriving about the middle or end of April, according to the 

 state of the weather, and departing early in September, 

 Common and generally distributed, haunting all our deep 

 retired woods, particularly where beeches abound, amidst 

 the upper foliage of which it appears to disport and sing its 

 truly sylvan notes. Nestles on the ground, or beside a deep 

 retiring bank, beneath the cover of which it forms its nest, 

 which is oval, and composed principally of dry grass. After 

 the breeding season, it visits the neighbourhood and inte- 

 rior of towns, along with the Willow Wren. 



43. Willow Wren. Phyllopneuste Trochllus. A summer visitor, 

 arriving about the 20tli of April, and departing in Septem- 

 ber. Abundant, and generally distributed, frequenting all 

 our woods. Nestles on the ground. After the breeding 

 season approaches towns, feeding with the A\^ood "Warbler. 



44. Chiff-chaff. Phyllopneuste Hippolais. A summer visitor, ar- 

 riving in March, and departing in September. Abundant 

 in all our deep woods. Rarely commences singing until 

 April. 



45. Dartford Warbler. 3Ielizophilus promncialis. Henry 

 Bickley, Esq. of ^lelton Mowbray, has given a locality to 

 this bird in Leicestershire ; but I have not heard of another 

 instance of its occurrence. 



46. Golden-crested Begulus. Beyulus auricapillus. Permanent- 

 ly resident. Very plentiful, haunting fir plantations. At- 

 taches its nest to the bough of a spruce fir. Feeds wholly 

 upon insects. 



47. Greater Tit. Parus Fringillago. Permanently resident. 

 Abundant. 



48. Blue Tit. Parus coeruleus. Permanently resident. Com- 

 mon. Nestles in holes of trees or old walls. In winter 

 associates with Chafiinches, Yellow Buntings, Sparrows, 

 and other small birds, feeding in farm-yards amongst do- 

 mestic poultry, or clinging to the sides of corn-stacks. 



