THE WILLOW WARBLER. 47 



GENUS XXII. SYLVIA (WARBLER). 



SPECIES 46 THE WILLOW WARBLER. 



Sylvia trochilus. Latham. 



Bee Jin pouillot. Temni. 



Sallypicker. Golden Wren. 



OF the many migratory birds which for a short period so- 

 journ with us, the beautifully formed willow warbler is the 

 most abundant, frequenting almost every locality, and enli- 

 vening our plantations and woodland copses with its simple 

 and unwearied melody. This modest little bird, both for ap- 

 pearance and unobtrusive habits, is regarded by all with a 

 favourable eye ; and is a frequent and useful visitant to the 

 orchard, examining carefully the apple and pear trees when 

 in blossom, in search of aphides, for which reason it holds a 

 high place in the estimation of the nurseryman, who extends 

 to him his patronage and protection in return for the unceas- 

 ing services performed by his tiny assistant. 



In a short period after their arrival, they commence prepar- 

 ing their nest, which is placed on the ground amongst loose 

 herbage, at the root of a bush or a sloping declivity, and is 

 of a round loose form, having a small opening near the top. 

 The eggs average from five to seven, in form nearly oval, and 

 of a white colour, with red and brownish spots. When dis- 

 turbed, or the nest approached, the parent flies a short dis- 

 tance, uttering her plaintive call of distress. 



Of the many qualities possessed by this interesting species, 

 we must not omit the mellowness of its song, which, for the 

 small size of the bird, can be heard at a considerable distance. 

 In England and on the Continent it is highly and justly 

 prized as a cage bird, soon becoming used to confinement, 

 and singing melodiously in a few days after being taken. 

 When warbling it erects the crest, swells out the throat, and 

 vibrates the body in accordance with its notes. 



The earliest of our summer visitants, the melody of this 

 bird, heard for the first time in the season after spring has 

 showered with a bounteous hand her blossoms o'er the grate- 

 ful earth, its " unpremeditated lay," poured forth in fitful 

 bursts of melody, comes with surprise on the ear, and forms 

 a brilliant contrast to the few notes of those birds remaining 

 with us during winter. 



According to Herodotus, the trochilus remained in the vici- 

 nity of the crocodile, and when the animal had made his repast, 

 the bird entered his open mouth to rid him of the parasites 



