WOOD WREN, CHIFFCHAFF ^ SEDGE WARBLER, 115 



geners, is a migratory species. With much the same 

 motions as the Willow Warbler we see them cours- 

 ing over the surrounding vegetation, exploring every 

 branch and twig in search of their insect prey ; but 

 perhaps the Wood Wren is more often seen in the 

 branches of the surrounding trees than the Willow 

 Warbler. Right up in the leafy crowns of the forest 

 trees we see him hopping hither and thither amongst 

 the foliage, occasionally pausing to utter his loud, wild, 

 and varied song, which echoes through the leafy arches 

 of the woods, and fills the air around with gladness. If 

 it be pairing time, their music is heard from every bower, 

 now varied by the Willow Warbler's plaintive trills, and 

 anon by the more loud and piercing notes of the 

 Chiffchaff. 



The Wood Wren is not a gregarious species, nor does 

 it pair for life, and every season for a short time after 

 its arrival it leads a life of solitude. But when both 

 sexes have arrived— for be it known the males arrive a 

 little the soonest — and recruited their failing strength, the 

 serious business of the year is commenced. By resist- 

 less impulse each and every bird seeks the company 

 of a mate, and together they seek a suitable place in 

 which to build their little home. Under some hazel 

 bush, by the side of the stream, or on the banks of a 

 shaded dell, a place meeting their requirements is found. 

 A small cavity is quickly made, and the nest, formed of 

 dry grasses and a little moss, is soon completed. The 

 young naturalist, however puzzling the birds may be, 

 cannot easily confound the nest of the Wood Wren with 

 that of the Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler. It differs 

 from them by having no lining of feathers. Five eo-o-s 

 are most often found, though sometimes the nest 

 contains but three or four. They are, of course, much 



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