58 



British Birds. 



and sixth, while the third and tburth are the longest. It has a more pointed winj; 

 than the Chiflchaft'. as might be expected in a bird which migrates so much 

 further south than the latter bird. In addition to this different wing-formula, 

 the Willow-Warbler can always be distinguished from the Chiffchaff by its 

 paler legs. 



The Willow-Warbler is a summer visitor and breeds in nearly every 

 portion of the British Islands, its breeding range extending over the greater 

 part of Europe to the high north, and as far east as the Valley of the 

 Yenesei. In winter it is found throughout Africa, from the oases of the 

 Sahara to the forests of West Africa, and throughout the eastern portion oi 

 the Continent down to the Cape Colony itself. 



The nest is placed on the ground, and is made to look like the surroundings 

 of dead leaves among which it is built. It is composed of dr\- stems ot 

 grass with a little moss, and is somewhat scantily lined with feathers. The 

 eggs are from five to eight in number, white, with reddish dots, occasionally 

 with more distinct spots, dots, or streaks, generally collected towards the 



larger end of the egg. 



The Chiffchafi-' [Plixllos- 

 copiis niiiior). This little 

 Warbler is smaller than the 

 Willow-Wren, is duller in 

 colour, and has blackish legs. 

 The wing - formula is also 

 different, the wing being more 

 rounded, with the second pri- 

 mary equal in length to the 

 sixth. These characters will 

 serve to tell the two species at 

 all ages, even in the young 

 plumage, which is always much more )ellow in immature Phvlloscopi than it is in 

 the adult birds. The Chin'chafI arrives in England in March, and its feeble song and 

 vociferous call-note are heard long before either of its near relations have reached our 

 shores. It inhabits the whole of the United Kingdom during summer, but is rarer 

 and more locally distributed than the Willow-Warbler. It does not extend its winter 

 range nearl_\- so far to the south as the latter bird, and even Slavs in the South of Eng- 

 land in mild winters. It ranges in summer throughout Europe, but does not reach so 

 far north as the Willow- Warbler, breeding onlv on the higher mountains in the 

 Mediterranean countries, nor does it cross the Ural Mountains, being replaced in the 

 east by the Siberian Chiflchaft" {P. tristis). The winter range does not extend 

 beyond North Africa and Abyssinia. Its habits are like those of the other Willow- 

 Warblers, but it is a more retiring bird and is more often heard than seen. The 



Thk Chiffchaff. 



