134 



SYLVIAD^. 



spends the greater portion of its time among the upper 

 branches of lofty trees, constantly moving from place to 

 place with rapid irregular flight, and frequently repeating 

 its short and peculiar song. It feeds exclusively on insects, 

 which it occasionally catches on the wing. Its song is 

 difficult to describe. The name by which it is popularly 

 known in some parts of France, Toiiite, is derived from the 

 syllable " tiveet,'^ which, raj)idly and continuously repeated 



THK VV(X)D-WAKHLi:i!. 



many times, constitutes its song. These notes arc uttered 

 in a sweet tone, and with a tremulous accent, and are 

 unlike those of any other bird. Gilbert White, who appears 

 to have been the first who noticed the bird, describes it 

 as "joyous, eas}^ and laughing." Sweet and others have 

 observed, that the last notes of its strain are accompanied 

 by a quivering of the wings, which accounts for their 

 tremulous sound. 



