BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 327 



of whose plumage is greenish yellow — dark above, very 

 light below. A pale eye-streak is a common characteristic. 

 In the common names of two members of the Warbler 

 group the word ' Wren ' is erroneously introduced — small 

 size is again the only excuse for such a title. There is 

 no very great development of song. 



The nest is usually on the ground among long herb- 

 age or under a thick bush, but sometimes a few feet 

 from it. Holes in walls are occasionally used. The nest 

 itself is notable in being domed ; it is loosely built of 

 diy grass, and is lined with feathers. 



The six to eight eggs are creamy white, usually with 

 rusty-red markings. Laying begins early in May in the 

 south, and two broods are reared there. 



THE CHIFF=CHAFF 



(Phylloscopus rufus). 

 Plate 127. 



The Chiff-Chaff is rather smaller and duller than the 

 Willow - Wren, and has ver}^ dark legs. The ' song,"" 

 heard in early summer, is a monotonous repetition of 

 two notes, as indicated by the bird's name. 



The Chi fF- Chaff does not penetrate into the northern 

 half of Scotland, and is rather scarce and local even 

 in the south of that country, and in much of the 

 east and north of England. Throughout the rest of 

 England and Wales and the whole of Ireland it is 

 common in summer, and a few members of this species 

 often remain through the winter in some mild districts. 

 Those that leave us return very early, often appearing 

 at the beginning of Maich. 



