32 BRITISH BIRDS 
distinct markings of amber-brown and lavender” (Jourdain). 
Av. size, ‘69x °52in. Laying begins March-April. Broods 1-2. 
57. Gold-crest [Regulus regulus anglorum Hartert ; Regulus 
eristatus K. L. Koch]. Generally resident in our conifer woods. 
The lighter Continental form, Regulus 
regulus regulus (Linneeus), is a winter 
visitor and bird of passage. 
Bird. Length 34 in. Recognised 
by the brilliant lemon crest, that of 
the male having, in addition, a patch 
of orange-red, and by the olive-green of the 
upper-parts. The crest is bounded by black. 
The male has the under-parts dull white, 
tinged on the throat and flanks with green. 
The female has the under-parts dull buff. 
Fig. 35. The young lack the yellow crest. 
Nest. Place: usually suspended beneath 
the end of the bough of some conifer, also in ivy, furze, 
creepers. Material: green moss and spider webs, sometimes 
lichens, lined with feathers, also hair or wool. 
Eggs. Usually 7-10. White or ochreous, with ochreous or 
reddish-brown markings. Av. size,*53x°*40 in. Laying begins 
in April. Broods 1-2, 
58. Chiffchaff [Phylloscopus collybita collybita (Vieillot); Phyllo- 
scopus rufus (Bechstein)]. A summer visitor to our wooded dis- 
tricts. Scarce in Scotland. Also bird of passage. A few winter. 
Bird. Length 44 in. Distinguished by the blackish legs 
from the willow-wren, which it resembles. The best means 
of identification is the song, that of the chiffchaff giving it its 
name: chiff, chaff, these two notes being repeated as many as 
ten or more times. The song of the willow-wren, a much 
commoner species, is a plaintive rippling warble. Upper-parts 
olive-green. Wing and tail brown, edged olive-green. Under- 
parts mostly dull white. A pale buff stripe over the eye. 
Nest. Place: usually not far from large trees, some feet 
from the ground, occasionally on or near it. Built in mixed 
tangles of brambles, herbage, and the like ; in bushes, creepers. 
Domed with opening at the side. Material: usually dead 
leaves, grass, moss, and other material lined with feathers. 
Eggs. Usually 6. White spotted purplish-brown with 
fainter violet marks. Av. size, °61x°47 in. Laying begins in 
May. One brood usually. 
59. Willow-warbler, also inaptly called willow-wren. 
[Phylloscopus trochilus trochilus (Linneeus)]. Very common and 
widely distributed. Summer visitor. Bird of passage. Occa- 
sionally winters. 
