520 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



or on the edge of a wood or shrubbery. It is an elegant structure, 

 oval in form, and dome-shaped, with the entrance at the side, the 

 materials varying with the locality ; but the lining generally is soft, 

 downy feathers. 



The Willow Wren (Sylvia trochilus, Fig. 231) is a delicate, active 

 little bird, pretty generally diffused. It is of retiring and unobtrusive 

 manners, its favourite haunt being among the willows and osiers 

 which skirt some sluggish stream. While flitting about in such 



Fig. 230. The Common Wren. 



localities it emits a small chirping noise ; but during the months of 

 May and June it is often heard chanting a soft, mellow, and very 

 pleasing song. In autumn great numbers of them may be seen 

 gliding among the fruit-trees and bushes. Its colour is an olive green 

 of deeper or less intensity, with canary-coloured breast, gradually 

 becoming whiter as it reaches the stomach. It possesses a very 

 sweet song, and is migratory. 



The Stone-chat (Pratincola rubicola, Fig. 232) has the head 

 and throat black in the male, the breast brownish red, the sides of 

 the neck white, a white spot on the wings, the upper parts brownish 

 black, and the feathers edged with brownish red. In the female the 



