THE CHIFFCHAFF. 69 



the Old Heronry Wood, and kindly gave it to me for pre- 

 servation. Since then the woods about Paxton have been 

 visited by a few Chiffchaffs every season. Dr. Stuart noticed 

 it at Chirnside Bridge, on the 27th of April 1881,^ and 

 Mr. Arthur H. Evans remarks (1881) that it is "spreading 

 in the valley of the Eye." '^ Mr. Hardy informed me (July 

 28th, 1886) that it had been heard about Grantshouse and 

 Dunglass that year, and Dr. Stuart told me about the 

 same time that it now frequents the woods of Whitehall. 

 In May 1886, the latter saw it at the Pistol Plantings, 

 Broomhouse, Broomdykes, and Hutton Hall ; "' and in the 

 same month I observed it at Burnhouses, and Oatley- 

 cleugh. Mr. Ferguson, Duns, wrote to me (June 24th, 1887) 

 that " several pairs are in Duns Castle policies this year." 

 It therefore appears to be now visiting the county in 

 increased numbers. 



The Chiffchaff generally arrives here between the 

 third week of March and the third week of April, when 

 its loud and peculiar note, which resembles the words 

 " Chip-chap, chivy-chivy," may be heard amongst the 

 tops of tall trees such as the oak, ash, and elm, and 

 the little bird may be seen hopping about amongst the 

 branches searching for insects. It cannot easily be dis- 

 tinguished by its appearance when on the top of a tree from 

 the Willow Wren, but when it is in the hand its darker 

 brown — almost black — legs, toes, and claws, as well as its 

 shorter wings, enable the observer to identify it. 



The nest is generally placed in a low bush, and is 

 covered with a dome, the entrance being from the side. 

 It is composed of dry grass, dead leaves, and moss, and is 

 lined with feathers. The eggs are generally six or seven 



1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 555. " Ibid. p. .555. 



3 Ibid. vol. xi. pp. 568, 569. 



