278 Country Rambles. 



THE LESS WHITETHROAT (Sylvia sylvicella), iii., 154. 

 Rare about Manchester, building in hedges a large 

 and clumsy nest, similar to that of a greenfinch. 

 The song is given only from the very heart of thick- 

 foliaged trees. 



THE WOOD WARBLER, OR WOOD WREN (Sylvia sylvicola), 



iii., i55- 



A very lovely little bird; its song, or trill, a repeti- 

 tion of two notes, and its nest very hard to find. 

 While singing, it sits on the bough and seems to 

 tremble, the wings being quivered elegantly. 



THE WHINCHAT (Sylvia rubetra), iii., 141. 



A common little bird, breeding everywhere, usually 

 selecting uncultivated lands, and sometimes hay- 

 fields, but always having its nest upon the ground. 

 About Urmston it is known as the " utic," from its 

 peculiar cry, "tic, tic, utic." In habits sprightly and 

 cheerful, popping about for ever from one spray to 

 another. 



THE WILLOW WARBLER, OR WILLOW WREN (Sylvia 



Trochilus), iii., 156. 



This little fellow is common in most places, woods, 

 gardens, hedgerows, choosing the top of the trees to 

 sing in. It ceases to sing after pairing, devoting 

 itself to the construction of its large nest, which is 

 usually protected with a lid, and built of grass, moss, 

 and feathers. In the summer of 1858, Edward 

 Jacques found a nest in Hough-end Clough, with a 



