Warblers. 77 



The WOOD WREN or WOOD WARBLER (Sylvia 

 sibillatrix\ WILLOW WREN, HAY-BIRD or WILLOW 

 WARBLER (Sylvia^ trochilus), and CHIFF-CHAFF or 

 LESSER PETTICHAPS (Sylvia hippolais or rufa), differ 

 but slightly from the Fauvettes and Whitethroats in 

 their habits and requirements as to food and habitation. 

 Mr. Sweet says Wood Warblers should be reared from 

 the nest on moist bread, and bruised hemp-seed, and 

 small morsels of raw meat, or bread and milk and 

 hard egg, and must always have a drop or two of water 

 given to them with their food. The scientific name is 

 derived from the peculiar nature of the song, which 

 sounds as if the bird was shaking all the time it is 

 singing. It is known in some parts of England as the 

 " shaking bird of the wood." It feeds principally on 

 insects, especially the leaf-rolling caterpillars, of which 

 it devours a great number. In confinement it becomes 

 very tame. 



The WILLOW WREN is to be treated in the same 

 manner. Is is fond of warmth, and will squeeze itself 

 up to other birds at night as closely as possible. It 

 feeds almost entirely on insects, rarely attacking the 

 fruit-trees. 



The CHIFF-CHAFF is so called from its peculiar 

 note resembling "Chiff-chaff, cherry-churry ! " An- 

 other provincial name is " Choice-and-cheap." Ex- 

 cepting the Golden-crested Wren and the Long-tailed 

 Tit, it is the smallest bird that visits England. The 



