A BIRDLOVER'S YEAR 



the beginning of April. It is interesting 

 to note the approximate date of arrival of 

 some of these spring birds, though of course 

 these dates vary from year to year. The 

 chiff-chaff is usually the first little traveller 

 to arrive in England, about March 16, 

 reaching Scotland about a fortnight later. 

 This little bird belongs to the group of 

 warblers, and is to be found during the season 

 of primroses and wild hyacinths in the woods 

 and gardens. Its song is scarcely melodious, 

 but it has a particular charm which is perhaps 

 associated with the thought of returning 

 summer. " For, lo ! the winter is past, the 

 rain is over and gone." 



The blackcap and the willow-warbler are 

 usually noted as arriving respectively on 

 March 22 and 23. These are both garden 

 birds of singular charm. The blackcap's 

 vocal powers allow it to compete with the 

 nightingale ; and, though its song is inferior 

 in power and compass, it equals that of the 

 nightingale in sweetness. Gilbert White of 

 Selborne described the song of the blackcap 

 as " full, sweet, deep, loud, and wild." This 

 charming bird is usually found in gardens 

 and shrubberies, and will return again and 



39 



