368 INSECTIVOILE. 



of which it is however easily distinguishable in plumage, in 

 expression, and in manners. 



The lesser petty-chaps is about a quarter of an inch shorter, 

 the upper part yellowish-brown, and the under dull greyish- 

 white, with some pale orange brown speckles on the sides of 

 the neck, and an obscure pale patch round the eye instead of 

 the bright streak over it. The tail and wings, especially the 

 latter, are also shorter in proportion, and they want the 

 greenish and yellow margins, the feathers being relieved with 

 yellowish-brown instead. 



The lesser petty-chaps is about a quarter or three eighths 

 of an inch shorter than the wood warbler, has a brisker, or, 

 as one would say, a perter expression, and is not so elegant in 

 shape. It also perches with the axis of the body more in the 

 horizontal line, is thicker backwards, has the tail more forti- 

 fied by coverts, and shows altogether more the air of an up- 

 and-down bird, and less one of forward flight. The position 

 of the axis of the body when perching, or otherwise in a state 

 of repose, and the way in which the body of a bird tapers 

 towards the tail, are always good characters, not only in dis- 

 tinguishing one bird from another, but as indicating the habits 

 of birds. 



The field or willow warbler is also easily distinguished from 

 the wood warbler. It is larger in about the same proportion 

 as the petty-chaps is less, and the tint of the back is interme- 

 diate, yellower than the petty-chaps, and not so green as the 

 wood warbler. The belly only of the field or willow warbler 

 is white. The under tail coverts, the breast, sides of the 

 neck, chin, and throat, a dull streak over the eye, the lesser 

 wing coverts, and the edges of the greater coverts, quills, and 

 tail feathers, being pale whitish-yellow. The wings reach only 

 half the length of the tail ; the tail is thicker, and the whole 

 expression of the bird is softer, but not so elegant. Neither 



