The Chiffchaff 



the tips of the greater wing coverts are whitish and form 

 a distinct bar. Length 4'25 in. ; wing 2*25 in. 



THE CHIFFCHAFF 



Phylloscopus collybita, Vieillot 



It has yearly been our delight to listen for the cheery 

 " chiff chaff " which announces the first arrival of this bird. 

 Winter is hardly over, the March winds still blow and the 

 trees are bare, but still he comes to brave our inclement 

 weather and retain his position as the first harbinger of spring. 

 A small green Warbler of skulking habits, we will have to 

 watch carefully if we wish to see him, for as we approach 

 he will leave his post high up on some tree and hide in the 

 undergrowth. For some weeks he wanders about the 

 country, here to-day and gone to-morrow apparently at 

 the dictates of his own will, but in reality ever creeping up 

 steadily northwards in the trail of departing winter. At 

 the end of April or beginning of May, having chosen his 

 mate, the duties of nest-building begin. The nest is loosely 

 placed in some bramble thicket or undergrowth in a wood, 

 and often appears as though it had been carelessly thrown 

 there. It is dome or oval shaped, loosely built of bents, 

 moss, and leaves, and warmly lined with feathers. The six 

 eggs are white, dotted and spotted with dark reddish brown. 



Its food consists almost entirely of small flies, cater- 

 pillars, and other insects, which it captures among the 

 branches and leaves of the trees, rarely descending to the 



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