i66 



BRITISH IMRDS. 



THE CHIFF CHAFF. 



(Sylvia R-ufa, Lath. Bcc-fin velocc, Temm.) 



LENGTH nearly five inches; breadth seven and 

 a quarter; weight about a quarter of an ounce; 

 upper plumage dark olive green; the under par- 

 takes of a blea lint white, slightly tinged with 

 yellow ; a pale dull .yellow line extends from the 

 bill over the eyes towards the nape ; bill dark, 

 with yellow edges ; primaries, secondaries, and 

 tail brown, edged with pale green; legs yellowish 

 brown. They visit this country among the first 

 summer birds of passage, but from their preferring 

 shady woods, or tall trees, are seldom to be seen.* 

 They build in a low bush near the ground : the 

 nest is composed of dried leaves and stems of 

 grass, lined with feathers : it lays from three to 

 six eggs, w r hite, beautifully spotted with vinous 

 brown. 



* Seven of these birds have been presented to this work by Mr, 

 W. Proctor. They all exhibited nearly the same plumage. 



