NOTES. 343 



As some confusion still exists in the minds of some of my 

 correspondents with regard to the various races of Willow- 

 Wrens and Chiffchaffs which have now been detected as 

 occurring in this country, it may be well to summarise the 

 information. 



The Typical Willow- Wren (P. trochilus trochilus). 



The Northern Willow- Wren {P. trochilus eversmanni). — 

 Now found to occur both on the autumn and spring passage, 

 but apparently much more frequently in the spring. Breeds in 

 Northern Russia, from the Kolyma westwards to the Timan 

 Hills, and possibly to Norway (c/. supra, p. 234). Except in 

 the axillaries there is practically no green or yellow in its 

 plumage. 



The Typical Chiffchaff (P. rufus nifus). 



The East European Chiffchaff (P. rufus abietina). — 

 So far has only once been detected in this country (c/. supra, 

 p. 233). Breeds in Scandinavia, Russia (south of 65°), East 

 Prussia, Austria, and the Balkans. It is of slightly larger size 

 and paler coloration than the typical form. 



The Siberian Chiffchaff (P. rufus tristis). — Has been 

 found on several occasions in winter in the Orkney and 

 Shetland groups (c/. Vol. I., pp. 8 and 382). Breeds in Siberia 

 from the Petchora to Lake Baikal. Easily distinguishable by 

 its very brown upperside, grey underside, brownish flanks, 

 and bright golden axillaries. 



H. F. WiTHERBY. 



LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER BREEDING IN 



MERIONETH. 

 Mr. R. J. Lloyd-Price, of Rhiwlas, Bala, informs me that 

 last year a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers {Dendrocopus 

 minor) nested in an oak-tree close to his head-keeper's house. 

 They hatched and reared the young, but all left before winter. 

 This is the first recorded instance of the species breeding in 

 North Wales so far to the west as Merioneth, w^here, indeed, 

 it has hitherto been met with only occasionally. 



H. E. Forrest. 



HOOPOE IN MERIONETH. 



Mr. Lloyd-Price wTites me that a Hoopoe {Upupa epops) 

 appeared on the lawn at Rhiwlas, Bala, one day in August, 

 1907. He watched it for a considerable time walking about, 

 and every now and then erecting its crest. The Hoopoe is 

 very rare in Wales, and has only once before been recorded in 

 Merioneth. H. E. Forrest. 



