THE HAY-BIRD, OR WILLOW WREN. 



Sylvia Fitis, BECHSTEIN ; S. Trochilus, LATHAM; Le Bee-fin Pouillot, TEMMINCK ; 

 Der Fitis Sanger, MEYER ; Der Weidenblatt, BECHSTEIN. 



THIS species weighs about two drachms and three quarters ; 

 length five inches and a quarter. The bill is dusky above, 

 yellowish beneath ; irides hazel. The whole upper parts of the 

 plumage are of a greenish yellow brown : the under parts are 

 white, tinged with yellow; on the breast are a few yellow 

 streaks ; legs light brown. 



This is a plentiful species in some parts ; frequents wooded 

 and enclosed situations, especially where willows abound ; is 

 frequently found with the wood wren, but does not extend so 

 far to the west in England, as it is rarely met with in Cornwall. 

 It comes to us early in April, and soon begins its usual song, 

 which is short, with little variety. About the latter end of 

 the same month, or beginning of May, it makes a nest of an 

 oval shape, with a small opening near the top, composed of 

 moss and dried grass, and lined with feathers. This is placed 

 in the hollow of a ditch, or in a low bush close to the ground. 



MR. SWEET'S ACCOUNT OF THE HAY-BIRD. 



This is another little favourite songster, and a most deserving 

 one it is. It visits us the latter end of March, or beginning of 

 April, and leaves us again at the end of September, or beginning 

 of October. On its first arrival, it enlivens our woods and 

 groves with its lively piercing song and gay frolics, flying 

 about from tree to tree, and catching the small gnats and flies 

 that come in its way. It builds its nest on the ground in a 

 thicket amongst dead leaves and moss, with a covering on the 



