68 CHIFFCHAFF. 



Persia. In the Canary Islands a smaller form, P. foriunatus of 

 Canon Tristram, is resident. 



The nest of the Chiffchaff is usually placed near to, but a little 

 above the ground, in rank vegetation or ferns ; occasionally in ivy 

 against a wall, at an elevation of a couple of feet or so, while 

 instances are on record in England of the nest having been found 

 from three to nine feet up, in laurel, holly, bramble, and other 

 bushes. In this country nidification begins about the end of April ; 

 the oval domed nest, with a hole rather nearer the top than the 

 middle, being composed of dry grass, leaves and moss, with an 

 abundance of feathers as a lining. The eggs, commonly 6 in num- 

 ber, are of a pure or creamy-white, spotted with purplish-brown, 

 and sometimes with underlying blotches of violet-grey ; occasionally 

 they are spotted with pale red : average measurements "6 by '45 in. 

 A second brood is produced in June. The song, if such it may 

 be called, ends in May, to begin again in September, and by 

 it the presence of the bird is often betrayed while the owner of the 

 voice is invisible, for the Chiffchaff frequents the branches of loftier 

 trees than the Willow-Wren does ; groves of tall elms and larches 

 being peculiarly attractive. Its food consists of insects and their 

 larvffi. By October the autumn migration from our islands may be 

 said to have terminated, except for those individuals which, as 

 already stated, remain till December or even through the winter, 

 and these, if severe weather sets in, pay the penalty for running 

 such a risk. 



Adult in spring : — olive-green on the upper parts, rather yellower 

 on the rump ; a pale yellow streak above the eye, passing into 

 white behind the ear-coverts ; wing-coverts, quills and tail-feathers 

 dull brown, edged with olive-green ; chin, throat, breast, belly and 

 lower tail-coverts dull white, tinged with greenish-buff; under wing- 

 coverts pale yellow ; bill brown ; iris hazel ; legs and feet very dark 

 brown. Length 4-6 in. ; wing 2-35 in. ; tarsus '6 in. The plumage 

 is alike in both sexes. The young are slightly greener than the 

 adults and the eye-streak is fainter. After the autumn moult the 

 yellow tint in the plumage is much more pronounced. 



The Chiffchaff may be distinguished from the Willow- Wren by its 

 smaller size, duller hue, darker legs, and more rounded wing. The 

 2nd quill is equal in length to the 7th, and the outer webs are 

 emarginated near their tips up to the 6th inclusive. In the Willow- 

 Wren thisemargination only reaches to the 5th, and the 2nd is equal 

 in length to the 6th quill. 



