162 Silviadcv. 



or call.* Montagu says that he observed the arrival of this bird 

 in Wiltshire for several years together, and that it ranged from 

 April 21st to May 10th. 



54. WOOD WARBLER (Sylvia sylvicola'). 



Extremely difficult is it to identify this pretty little bird from 

 its two congeners, more particularly from the one next to be 

 described : both are graceful and elegant, and frequent woods and 

 plantations ; both have a plumage of gray-green above, and prim- 

 rose yellow below ; both feed on insects, and sing sweetly from 

 the top of some tall tree. There are, however, several marks by 

 which we may distinguish them ; on close examination we shall 

 find that the Wood Warbler has a purer green on the upper 

 parts of its body, and more white on its under plumage, while 

 the Willow Warbler has more yellow : and again, the nest of the 

 Wood Warbler is always lined with fine grass and hair, while 

 that of the Willow Warbler contains feathers. 



Perhaps nobody has more clearly pointed out in few words the 

 marks by which the three British Willow Wrens may best be 

 distinguished from each other than Mr. Harting, who says: (1) 

 The Wood Wren is the largest of the three ; it has comparatively 

 the longest wings, and the longest tail : in colour it is much 

 greener above and of a purer white beneath than either of its 

 congeners; legs flesh-coloured. (2) The Willov; Wren is the 

 yellowest of the three species ; legs also flesh-coloured. (3) The 

 Chiff Chaff is the smallest of the three ; wings remarkably short ; 

 colour greenish-brown above, white tinged with yellow benea-t/i ; 

 legs hair-brown.f Compare with this the Swedish names by 

 which these birds are designated: (1) Wood Warbler, Gr<"m 

 Sdngare or Green Warbler; (2) Willow Warbler, Lof Sdngare 

 or Leaf Warbler; and (3) Chiff Chaff, Gi'd brustad Sdngare , 

 Yellow-breasted Warbler; and we have their respective points 

 of distinction pretty accurately expressed. 



To Gilbert White is due the credit of separating and calling 



* 'Birds of Middlesex/ p. 51. 



t Harting's edition of White's ' Selborne,' p. 57. 



