128 THE SMALLER BRITISH BIRBS. 



THE CHTFF CHAFF, 



(Sylvia hippolais.j 

 PLATE VIII. FIGUEE III, 



The Cliiff Chaff differs but little in appearance from the two preceding 

 speciesj but is a little smaller than either, and seems to stand inter- 

 mediate between them and the Reguli or Kinglets, next to be described. 

 Prom the other Wood Wrens, it may readily be distinguished by its 

 shorter wings, the darker colour of its legs and feet, and the browner 

 tints of its plamage. It is, with the exception of the ^Vheatear, the 

 first to visit us in spring and the last to depart in autumn, having been 

 seen as early as the 12th. of March, and- as late as the middle of 

 October. A few individuals have been known to remain in the southern 

 counties throughout the winter; Montagu speaks of two that wei'e seen 

 in his garden about Christmas, and a specimen was shot near New- 

 haven, in January, 1836. It sometimes goes by the names of the Lesser 

 Pettychaps, and the Least Willow Wren; Macgillivray calls it the 

 Short-winged Wood Wren, and, like the species last described, it is 

 known in some localities as the Hay Bird. Although nowhere so 

 abundant as the Willow Warbler, this bird is found iu all the southern 

 counties, from Sussex to Cornwall; it has also been observed in Essex, 

 Norfolk, Westmoreland, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Durham, and North- 

 umberland. It visits some parts of Scotland, but in the neighbourhood 

 of Edinburgh is stated to be very rare; a specimen was killed in 

 Orkney in November, 1850. It has also been observed in Wales and 

 Ireland. On the European continent it is common in the countries 

 bordering on the Mediterranean, remaining in Italy throughout the 

 winter; Mr. Hewitson also found it in Norway. In Asia Minor, Mr. 

 Strickland saw some individuals at Smyrna, in the month of November. 



The little ChifF Chaff makes its home iu woods, coppices, hedgerows, 

 and gardens, and may often be seen in the reed and osier beds on the 

 borders of rivers. Like the Wood Warbler, it is very partial to tall 

 oaks, beeches, and firs, running about among the branches with the 

 same reckless activity in its search after insects and their larva. It 

 constantly emits the peculiar double note from which it derives its 

 commoa name. This, however, is said by MacgUlivray to resemble 



