148 SYLVIIN^E. ^HYLLOPNEIJSTE. 



tate, finely papillate at the base, flat above, tapering to a slit 

 point ; oesophagus of moderate width ; proventriculus small ; 

 stomach roundish, compressed, its muscular coat rather thin, 

 the tendons large, the epithelium dense, thin, with broad 

 rugse ; intestine short ; coeca very small, cylindrical. Nos- 

 trils oblong, narrow, operculate. Eyes rather small. Aper- 

 ture of ear large, roundish. Head oblong ; neck short ; body 

 slender. Tarsus rather long, much compressed, with seven 

 anterior scutella, of which only the lower three are distinct ; 

 toes moderate, very slender, much compressed, the first ra- 

 ther large, the second and fourth about equal, the third and 

 fourth united at the base ; claws rather long, arched, ex- 

 tremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute. Plumage soft 

 and blended ; bristles small ; wings of moderate length, with 

 nineteen quills ; the first very small, the next four longest ; 

 tail rather long, straight, slightly emarginate, the feathers 

 weak, and rather slender. 



The Wood- wrens are very small and delicate birds, of 

 extremely active habits, migratory, frequenting woods and 

 bushy places, especially in the lower grounds, and feeding 

 on insects, larvae, pupae, and worms. They have a short, 

 lively, and melodious song ; a rapid, gliding, and undulated 

 flight. Three species occur in Britain, very similar to each 

 other, and best distinguished by the form of the wing. 



83. PHYLLOPNEUSTE SYLVICOLA. YELLOW WOOD-WREN. 



Length about five inches ; wings long, the second quill in- 

 termediate between the third and fourth, which, with the fifth, 

 have their outer webs cut out toward the end ; upper parts 

 light yellowish-green ; throat and sides of the breast yellow ; 

 breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white. Young simi- 

 lar, being merely of a lighter tint. 



Male, 6 T V, 8|, 3^, ^ 5? , A, &- Female, 5 T 2 *, 8 T V 

 Arrives from the middle of April to that of May, and de- 

 parts about the end of September. It inhabits woods, thickets, 

 and gardens, in most parts of England, and the southern and 

 middle divisions of Scotland. Its song, which it performs 

 while perched on a twig, is soft, modulated, and short, the first 

 notes prolonged, the last rapid, and forming a kind of shrill 

 shaking sound. The nest is well constructed, and lined with 

 fine grasses and hair. The eggs, five or six, white, with red- 



