34 Migration and Habits of the Genus Sylvia. 
Art. VIII. On the Autumnal Migration and Habits of some of the 
Genus Sylvia in England. By J. D. Hoy, Esq. 
Sir, 
ConsiDEniNG that any facts which might tend in any way to 
elucidate the natural history of our island, might not be unac- 
ceptable to you, I send you a few observations I have made on 
the autumnal migration and habits of some of the genus Sylvia. 
The arrival of this elegant and interesting tribe of birds in 
the spring is immediately made known to us by the variety 
and sweetness of their notes, which enliven our groves and 
fields, and by which they at once appear filled with a new 
creation; but after the great work of rearing their young has 
been accomplished, and the warmer season is drawing to a 
close, they imperceptibly steal away from us. The nightin- 
gale (Sylvia Zuscinia) remains with us in small numbers, 
frequenting gardens, bean fields, and thick hedge-rows, some- 
times until the end of September; a great number leave us in 
the end of August or beginning of September. They may be 
known, when you approach them, by their shrill call-note and 
croaking note of alarm; I have, on several occasions, heard 
them sing a few notes in a low suppressed tone. ‘The redstart 
(S. Phoenicirus) appears to quit in considerable numbers in 
the end of August, particularly the old birds, last seen about 
the 20th of September. The wood wren (S. sibilatrix) leaves in 
the beginning of September, as do the greater number of the 
willow wrens (S. 7yéchilus); a few of the latter remain to the 
middle of the month. ‘The willow wren will sing a little on fine 
warm days, but the lesser willow wren, or chiff-chaff (S. hip- 
polais), pours forth its singular and cheering notes, frequently 
for hours together, mary days before it take its departure. 
This hardy little bird lingers with us not unfrequently to the 
middle of October, or later, frequenting gardens and fir plant- 
ations, where you will find it in company with the tifmice, or 
crested wrens. ‘The common and lesser whitethroats (S. ciné- 
rea and S. Sylviélla) I have not seen later than the 24th of 
September; those that remain with us to that time frequenting 
hedges where blackberries abound, of which they are very 
fond; the great flight appear to leave in the beginning of the 
month. I have seen the grasshopper warbler (S. Locustélla) as 
late as the 5th of September; the last time of hearing its 
sibilous note the 23d of August. If you approach this bird 
suddenly, it has a curious jerking of the tail as it retreats from 
you, most frequently running on the ground. The reed and 
sedge warblers (S. arundinacea and S. salicdria) have mostly 
left their breeding places by the end of August; and about the 
