224 SYNOPSIS AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
its notes. Found: Generally distributed, but most in 
south. Haunts: Wooded districts, keeps to certain 
localities, comes to gardens often in autumn. A gentle- 
looking, sober-coloured bird. Smaller than a sparrow. 
Length: 4? inches. Resembles somewhat the willow- 
wren, but is smaller (see Part II, pp. 164-7), of only two 
shades of colour, viz.: upper parts olive green, tinged 
yellow; under parts yellowish-white, a faint white 
streak above eye. Male and female: Indistinguish- 
able. Habits: Always moving about (something lke 
the tits) in seach of insects, etc., often takes insects in 
the air. Defends itself and nest vigorously. Flight : 
Mostly from tree to tree. Food: Insects, flies, moths, 
caterpillars, etc. Notes: ‘Chiffchaff, chiffchaff, chiff- 
chaff’ (whence name) three or four times, and often 
repeated, loud and insistent ; heard as soon as it arrives 
(middle of March), sings all the summer, but less in late 
summer. Also ‘whoo-id’ if alarmed. Migratory : 
Arrives middle of March or even earlier (the first of the 
warblers to arrive), and leaves in October. Nest: In 
May, domed, or rather half-roofed over, with grass, etc., 
with an opening at one side ; Sztuated : On the ground 
in tall grass, or in a hedge-bank, or in a very low bush, 
or old tree stump. Made of : Dry grass, leaves, moss, 
etc., lined with many feathers, wool, hair, etc. Second 
nests: Probably. Eggs: Pure white, spotted and 
specked brown and purplish, rounded at one end, 
pointed at the other. Six or seven. 
