16 



BIRD GALLERY. 



No. 43. WHEATEAR. (Saxicola oenanthe.) 



This widely distributed species is one of our first spring visitors, 

 usually arriving early in March and leaving in the beginning of 

 October. It is generally, though locally, distributed throughout the 

 British Islands and frequents the wilder parts of the country, such as 

 open downs, heaths, and barren hills. The loosely made nest of dry 

 grass, lined with hair and feathers, is placed in various situations — rabbit- 

 burrows, crevices of stone-walls or peat-stacks, heaps of stones, and 

 empty meat-tins being commonly utilized. The eggs, which vary from 

 five to seven in number, are very pale blue, sometimes faintly dotted 

 with purple. Two broods are produced in a season. 



Norfolk, June. 



Presented by Lord TVaJsingham, F.R.S. 



No. 44. CHIFFCHAFF. (Phylloscopus rufus.) 



The earliest of the spring migrants to the British Isles, where its 

 familiar note, from which its name is derived, is often heard in the 

 beginning of March. The majority leave our islands in September, but 

 a few sometimes remain in the south of England throughout the year. 

 The dome-shaped nest, with the entrance near the top, is usually placed 

 near the ground among coarse undergrowth, but sometimes, as in the 

 present instance, the site chosen is in bushes, even at a height of several 

 feet. The eggs, generally six in number, are white with distinct spots 

 of dark purplish-brown. The nesting-season commences about the end 

 of April and two broods are generally reared in a season. 



Oxfordshire, May. 



Presented by W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Esq. 



No. 45. WOOD-WREN. (Phylloscopus sibilatrix.) 



One of the latest summer visitors to the British Islands, arriving 

 in the south of England about the middle of April. Though always 

 a very local species, it is not uncommon in wooded districts, preferring 

 old plantations of oak or beech, where it may generally be seen 

 searching for insects among the higher branches. The domed nest of 

 dry grass is always placed on the ground among herbage and is invariably 

 lined with fine grass and hair, never with feathers. From five to 

 seven white eggs, thickly spotted with purplish-brown and grey, are laid 

 about the middle of May. 



Sussex, June. 



Presented by Dr. R. Rowdier Sharpe. 



