234 WILD BIRDS 



difference is so minute it can only be measured at a 

 little distance by the long-practised eye. Yet when 

 we know the birds well, and have watched the three 

 in their nesting haunts, there is no mistaking a wood 

 warbler for a chiff-chaff, or even for a willow warbler. 

 It is another thing to be sure at a glance whether 

 we are looking at a chiff-chaff or a willow warbler. 

 The movements of these two are to me identical : the 

 distinction lies in the colouring. 



The chiff-chaff's legs are darker than the willow 

 warbler's, and its spring dress has less yellow about 

 it than the willow warbler's. The songs no one could 

 confuse, for there is nothing in common between 

 them. The garden warbler has much in common 

 with the blackcap in its music, whereas these three 

 little sylphs have evolved three utterly dissimilar 

 songs. They have notes of anxiety that can be 

 confused, but the songs are as those of birds not 

 distantly allied. 



The willow warbler is perhaps the only one that 

 has melody. It has been styled a " merry," or 

 " joyous " singer. I question the word " merry " 

 applied to the willow warbler's song. Now, the 

 common wren's song has the merry ring it sounds 

 all jollity. But surely the characteristic of the 

 willow warbler's dropping song, its diminuendo 

 it begins high and ends low and feeble is plain- 

 tiveness, not jollity. No doubt it is a sign and 

 song of joy, just as is the wren's liveliest ditty ; no 

 doubt, there is " sweetness in the sad ; " but not the 

 less it is the plaintive note that appeals to us in the 



