28 



The female and young were obtained at Potter 

 Heigham, in Norfolk, in July, 1869 ; the male 

 being killed in Sussex on his first arrival in May, 

 at which season the plumage is always in its 

 greatest perfection. 



CHIFF-CHAFF. 

 Case 42. 



The Chiff-Chaff is usually the first of the 

 warblers to visit us in the spring. It spreads over 

 the greater part of the country and is said to be 

 observed frequently in the north of Scotland. 



As many writers have recorded this fact, it is 

 probably correct ; but I have myself been unable 

 to detect any in the Highlands, though the Willow 

 "Wren and Wood Wren are particularly numerous 

 even in the wildest glens. 



The eggs of these three small species of Leaf 

 Warblers (as they are styled by some authors) are 

 much more easily distinguished than the birds 

 themselves. 



That of the Willow Warbler is, like the others, 

 of a pinkish white ground, strongly blotched with 

 red spots towards the longer end. The markings 

 on the egg of the Chiff-chaff are of a claret colour, 

 while the egg of the Wood Wren is thickly 

 speckled with warm brown. 



The specimens in the case were obtained near 

 Plumpton, in Sussex, in April, 1867. 



SPARROW HAWK. 

 Case 43. 



I am afraid this Hawk has many enemies and 

 but few friends. Those who take an interest in 

 falconry often put in a plea for that still greater 

 robber, the Peregrine ; but I never yet heard a 

 word spoken in defence of the poor Sparrow Hawk. 



