326 SYLVIAD^I. 



the genus Sylvia, as at present restricted. They differ 

 from the Warblers already described in the general colour 

 of their plumage ; in not being fruit eaters ; they almost 

 invariably build their nests on the ground, and their nests 

 are covered or domed at the top, like that of the Dipper, 

 already figured at page 186, and the little birds creep into 

 the hollow chamber within by a small round hole, generally 

 left in the side. 



The Wood Warbler seldom arrives even in the southern 

 parts of England till near the end of April, the males, as 

 in some other instances, making their appearance a week 

 or ten days before the females. In Northumberland, Mr. 

 Selby says, this bird does not appear till the elm and 

 the oak are bursting into leaf; and that gentleman con- 

 siders, from repeated observations, that with all our sum- 

 mer visitants there is a difference of ten days or a fortnight 

 between their arrival in the southern and northern parts of 

 the kingdom. 



The Wood Warbler is generally distributed through the 

 wooded districts, preferring old plantations and woods con- 

 taining tall trees, particularly those of oak or beech. The 

 males commence their simple song soon after their arrival, 

 and may frequently be heard from a lofty elm in a hedge 

 row. The note resembles the word twee, sounded very 

 long, and repeated several times in succession, at first but 

 slowly, afterwards much quicker, and when about to con- 

 clude is accompanied by a peculiar tremulous motion of the 

 wings, which are lowered by the side. The note is also 

 occasionally uttered while the bird is on the wing from one 

 place to another. The song is continued throughout the 

 greater part of the summer, and the bird leaves this coun- 

 try in September. 



The Wood Warbler neither eats fruit nor berries ; its 



