46 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



Observation. — In general appearance like a Lesser 

 Peregrine Falcon. 



Plumage. — Upper parts bluish black ; cheeks and 

 moustache black. Wings long ; under parts huffish 

 white, longitudinally streaked with black. Thighs rusty 

 red. Bill horn-colour, darker at the tip. Legs, cere, 

 and orbits yellow. Length 12 in. Female duller, 

 length 14 in. Young, plumage tinged with rufous. 

 Nestlings covered with white down. 



Language. — A shrill cry, somewhat like the Kestrel's. 



Habits. — Much resembles the Peregrine Falcon. The 

 long pointed wings, exceeding the tail when closed, are 

 always noticeable in flight. Flight very rapid. 



Food. — Various kinds of insects chiefly ; also small 

 birds like Larks. 



Nest. — May or June. One brood. 



Site. — Some old Crow's or Magpie's nest is appro- 

 priated. 



Eggs. — Three or four. Pale ochreous, speckled and 

 dusted with dark red. Very Hke Kestrel's. 



CHIFFCHAFF [Phylloscopus rufus). 



April to September. Fairly commonly distributed, 

 being most abundant in the south and south-western 

 counties. Rare in Scotland and Ireland. 



Haunts. — Woods and well- timbered districts. 



Plumage. — Pale yellow superciliary streak over eye. 

 Lores olive ; upper parts olive-green. Breast and flanks 

 greyish white, suffused with yellow. Wings and tail 

 brown, edged with olive-green ; under wing-coverts 

 yellow ; under parts white, slightly washed with j^ellow- 

 ish. Thighs yellow. Bill brown. Legs dark brown. 



