76 BRITISH BIRDS 



Willow-Wren. 



Phylloscopus trochilus. 



Upper plumage bright olive -green ; a narrow streak of yellow 

 over the eye ; under parts yellowish white, palest in the middle ; 

 feathers of the legs yellow. Length, nearly five inches. 



The willow-wren, or willow-warbler, is one of the earliest of our 

 summer songsters to arrive, usually following the chiffchaff which 

 it resembles in size and general appearance by a few days. During 

 the last week of March, if the weather be not too cold, its delicate 

 strain may be heard in sheltered situations in the southern parts of 

 England, and by the second week in April it is one of the most fre- 

 quently heard songs throughout the length and breadth of the land. 

 Not only is this species very much more generally diffused than its 

 two nearest relations the chiffchaff and wood- wren but it is met 

 with in a much greater variety of situations on commons, in 

 hedgerows, gardens, woods, and plantations. Yet, in spite of its 

 abundance and wide distribution, it is nowhere a familiar bird to 

 the country people ; the small, delicate voice does not compel atten- 

 tion and is well-nigh lost in the summer concert that has so many 

 loud, jubilant strains in it. 



The willow- wren is a pretty little bird, although without any 

 bright colour in its plumage, which at a short distance looks of a 

 soft greenish yellow tint. He is best seen when the trees are open- 

 ing their buds, before the thickening foliage hides his tiny, restless, 

 flitting form from sight. He is the least shy of the warblers, his 

 trustfulness being in strong contrast to the suspicious manner and 

 love of concealment of the blackcap and whitethroat. He will 

 unconcernedly continue his hunt for minute insects, and utter his 

 melody at intervals, within a few feet of a person, sitting or standing, 

 quietly observing him. The song, although a small one, both as to 

 duration and power, has a singular charm : not merely the charm 

 of association experienced in a voice long absent and heard once 

 more a voice of the spring, that comes before the loud call of the 

 cuckoo and the familiar, joyous twitter of the swallow ; it is in itself 

 a beautiful sound, one of the sweetest bird-songs heard in our 

 country. ' A song which is unique among British birds,' says Mr. 

 Warde Fowler, whose description of it is, perhaps, the most perfect 



