68 THE BIRDS OF OXPORDSHIEE. 



p. 25.) It arrives about the second v/eek in April, and its 

 silvery song- is one of the commonest sounds on sunny days in 

 spring in the vicinity of sheltered spinneys, osier-beds, and 

 big hedgerows ; again in the latter part of August it is 

 heard more sparingly. Previous to their departure in autumn, 

 especially in the hazy September mornings, Willow- Wrens 

 often swarm in kitchen gardens, where they do considerable 

 good in ridding the plants and bushes of aphides and other 

 insects. 



THE CHIFFCHAFF. ^U 



Phylloscopus collyhita. 



The Chiffchaff is a regular and common summer migrant, 

 but is not nearly so plentiful as the Willow- Wren. It is one 

 of the earliest to arrive of our summer migrants. I have 

 observed it as early as the 15th March, and it probably always 

 reaches us during that month ; but as it generally first makes 

 its presence known by its song, and in cold springs is silent on 

 its first arrival except on very sunny days, it is often over- 

 looked until April. The Chiffchaff often remains here until 

 October, its autumn song being heard in fine seasons through 

 September and up to the middle of the former month. An 

 individual remained with us during the whole of the mild 

 winter of 188 1-3. It was heard on several occasions by Mr. 

 F. C. Aplin in his garden at Bodicote in December, more 

 particularly towards the end of the month, and he obtained a 

 good view of it on the 13th January, when it was still in song, 

 and frequently also later in the month. In the same garden, 

 which is well supplied with evergreens and coniferous trees, he 

 again observed a Chiff chaff in song on the 26th and 27th 

 February, 1887, two bright and sunny days. The season had 

 been veiy severe, yet it is pretty certain that this individual 

 was not a migrant, but had braved the frosts and snow of 

 winter. 



