YELLOW WREN. INSESSORES. SYLVIA. 227 



According to MONTAGU, it does not extend so far to west- 

 ward as the Wood- Wren, and is a rare bird in Cornwall ; 

 but I have found it co-extensive with that species in the 

 northern parts of the kingdom. It is of a very active nature, 

 and in constant motion, flitting from branch to branch, in 

 search of the smaller wirfged insects that form its food. It Food. 

 commences nidification soon after its arrival, usually select- 

 ing some dry bank, side of ditch, or bush close to the ground. 

 The nest is composed of moss and dry grass, lined with fea- Nest, &c. 

 thers, of an oval shape, with a small opening near the top. 

 It lays six or seven eggs, white, with numerous reddish- 

 brown spots towards the larger end, and with a few specks 

 dispersed over the rest of the surface. This species seems 

 to be of common occurrence throughout the greater part of 

 Europe. 



PLATE 47. Fig. 3. Natural size. 



Head and upper parts of the body pale oil-green, tinged General 

 with a cinereous or grey shade. Lesser wing-coverts 

 and margins of quill, feathers pale sulphur-yellow. From 

 the base of the bill a streak of primrose-yellow proceeds 

 over the eyes ; but not so well defined as that of the 

 Wood- Wren. Cheeks and throat primrose-yellow, pass- 

 ing into sulphur-yellow on the breast. Middle of the 

 belly pure white. Under tail-coverts primrostvyellow. 

 Quills and tail hair-brown, the latter slightly forked, 

 and the margins of the feathers yellowish- white. Wings 

 reaching half the length of the tail. Legs yellowish- 

 brown. Bill having the lower mandible yellowish, the 

 upper brown. 



