328 BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



In general habits and nesting proclivities the ChiflF- 

 ChafF resembles the Willow- Wren. The six eggs are 

 rather more darkly spotted. 



THE WOODc=WREN 



(Phylloscopus sibilatrix). 

 Plate 128. 



This species is a somewhat larger and more heavily 

 built bird than either of the two preceding members of 

 the genus. 



It is the latest of the three to arrive, mid- April to 

 September being the length of its sojourn in the south, 

 a shorter period in the north. During the summer 

 the Wood-Wren is widely distributed over Great Britain, 

 but is less numerous towards the north. In Ireland it is 

 more uncommon. Everywhere it is very local, but that 

 is in a great measure due to the nature of the haunts it 

 prefers. These are woods, as the name implies, especially 

 those of oak and beech trees. 



The nesting habits are on the whole similar to those 

 of the Willow- Wren and the ChifF-Chaif. Wooded banks, 

 however, are pi-eferred, even though undergrowth or other 

 cover be scant. The nest is usually on the ground, 

 often in a hollow. It is of the usual domed type, but 

 feathers are not used for lining purposes. The eggs are 

 from five to seven in number, and are white in colour, 

 with numerous spots or zones of purplish brown and 

 violet gray. 



