THE CHIFF-CH.VJF. 75 



Aud wither'd leaves, make up its outward wall, 



Which from the guarl'd oak-dotterel yearly fall, 



And in the old hedge-bottom rot away. 



Built like an oven, — through a little hole, 



Scarcely admitting e'en two fingers in, 



Hard to discern, the birds snug entrance win. 



'Tis lined with feathers, warm as silken stole. 



Softer than seats of down for painless ease, 



And full of eggs, scarce bigger even than peas ! 



Here's one most delicate, with spots as small 



As dust, and of a faint and pinky red. 



Stop ! here's the bird. That woodman at the gap 



Frighten'd him from the hedge : 'tis olive green. 



Well ! I declare, it is the Petty-chap ! 



Not bigger than the wren, and seldom seen. 



I've often found her nest in chance's way, 



When I, in pathless woods did idly roam ; 



But never did I dream, until to-day, 



A spot like this would be her chosen home." 



The chlff-cliafF is also called the Dark-legged 

 Petty-chap, to distinguish it from the willow 

 wren, which it much resembles, though smaller, 

 behig however at once distinguished from it by 

 the dark brownish, almost black, colour of tlie 

 legs and feet. Mr. Blyth remarks, that there is 

 a peculiarity in its song not generally noticed : its 

 common note, tick, tack, is known to us all ; but 

 this gentleman remarks, that after repeating this, 

 seven or eight times in monotonous succession, it 

 frequently alternates it with another sound, re- 



