NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



contained feathers from seven different 

 species of birds, and some of them had 

 been collected by the builder at a con- 

 siderable distance. 



The eggs, numbering from four to 

 eight, are white, spotted with pale rusty- 

 red, whereas those of the Chiffchaff, 

 with which they are most likely to be 

 confused on account of the similarity 

 of the nests built by the birds, are 

 marked with dark purplish-brown. 



The Willow Wren is one of the bright- 

 est and sweetest carol singers visiting 

 our shores. Although its song is short 

 and contains but little variety, there is a 

 sprightliness and simplicity about it that 

 never fails to charm. I always associate 

 the bird's thrice -welcome notes with the 

 babbling alder-fringed trout streams of 

 my youth, spring sunshine, and the sweet 

 freshness of expanding leaves. 



John Burroughs, the great American 

 ornithologist, who once came over here 

 to study the song birds of our country, 

 said, " The Willow Wren has a long, 

 tender, delicious warble, not wanting in 

 strength and volume, but eminently 

 pure and sweet the song of the Chaffinch 

 refined and idealised. ... It mounts 

 up round and full, then runs down the 

 90 



