CHIFF CHAFF. 361 



as the 12th and 14th of March ; by the 20th several have 

 been noticed, and they are frequently heard in the woods 

 before the trees are in leaf to hide them. On their first 

 arrival they are said to feed chiefly " on the larva of the 

 different species of Tortrix that are rolled up in the un- 

 folding buds of various trees, rendering good service in 

 devouring those insects that would otherwise destroy a great 

 part of the fruit. If the weather is fine and inild, they 

 may be seen among the most forward trees in orchards, 

 flying from branch to branch, and from tree to tree, chasing 

 each other, and catching the gnats and small flies that come 

 in their way. In the summer they feed on the aphides 

 which infest trees and plants, and they are also very partial 

 to small caterpillars, flies, and moths." 



These birds frequent shady woods, hedgerows, and 

 bushes ; and their song, sometimes given while the bird 

 is on the wing, and frequently from a branch of a tall tree, 

 consists, as before mentioned, of two notes repeated several 

 times in succession. 



The nest is in form like that of the Willow Warbler, 

 oval, or rounded, with a hole in the side by which the 

 little bird enters. The outside of the nest is composed of 

 dried grass, dead leaves and moss, lined with a profusion 

 of feathers. It is generally placed on or near the ground 

 in a hedgebank, sometimes raised a little above the ground 

 in a low bush. Mr. Henry Doubleday sent me notice 

 of an instance in which he found the nest of this bird, 

 formed externally of dead leaves, placed in dead fern, at 

 least two feet from the ground ; and Mr. Hewitson men- 

 tions another, at an equal elevation, that was built in some 

 ivy against a garden wall. The eggs are usually six in 

 number, about seven lines in length by five lines and a 

 half in breadth, white, with a few specks of dark purplish 

 red. 



