282 THE WOOD WAEBLER 



ment displayed by the Willow Wren to its nest. The naiTator is a lady, and the anecdote 

 appeared originally in the " Field JSTaturalist." 



"In the spring of 1832, walking through an orchard, I was attracted by something on 

 the ground in the form of a large ball, and composed of dried grass. I took it up in my 

 hands, and upon examination found that it was a domed nest of the Willow Wren. 

 Concerned at my precipitation, I put it down again as near the same place as I could 

 suppose, but with very little hope that the architect would ever claim it again after such 

 an attack. I was, however, agreeably surprised to find next day that the little occupier 

 w^as iDroceediug with its work. The feathers inside were increased, as I could perceivu by 

 the alteration in colom\ 



In a few days two eggs were laid, and I thought my little protegee safe from harm, 

 when a flock of ducks, that had strayed from the poultry-yard, with their usual curiosity 

 went straight to the nest, whi'ch was very conspicuous as the grass was not high enough 

 to conceal it, and with their bills spread it quite open, displaced the eggs and made the 

 nest a complete ruin. I now despaired, but immediately on drivin'g the authors of the 

 mischief away, I tried to restore the nest to something like its proper form, and placed 

 the eggs inside. That same day I was astonished to find an addition of another egg, 

 and in about a week four more. The bird sat, and ultimately brought out seven young 

 ones, but I cannot help supposing it a singular instance of attachment and confidence 

 after being twice so rudely disturbed." 



The general colour of this bird is dull olive green on the upper parts of the body, the- 

 quill-feathers of the wing being brown roped with green, and those of the tail dark brown. 

 The chin, throat, and breast are yellowish-white, and the abdomen is nearly pure white. 

 The total length of the bird is about five inches. 



The Lesser Whitetheoat or Beake Warblee is another of our British Warblers, 

 arriving in this country towards the end of April. 



It is not nearly so pleasing or so brilliant a songster as the species which have already 

 been mentioned, but it is nevertheless very liberal in the exercise of its vocal powers, and 

 chatters merrily as it flutters about the hedgerows, dives into the branches and reappears 

 on tlie branch of some convenient tree or bush. It is not so often seen as the common 

 Whitethroat, being more shy, and venturing less frequently from its hiding-place. On 

 account of this habit of chattering, it has been termed the Chatterer by several writers. 

 The nest is something like that of the common Whitethroat, being an open, saucer-like 

 structure, placed among brushwood, and generally found upon some thick bramble or 

 stunted bush. The materials of which it is composed are grasses, roots, and fibres, and it 

 is generally lined with hair. 



The colour of this species is dark grey upon the upper surface, and the quill-feathers 

 are dark brown except the two exterior feathers of the tail, which are greyish-white. The 

 under surface is beautifully white, with a slight but perceptible tinge of pale carmine on 

 the abdomen. The total length of the bird rather exceeds five inches. 



From the willow Warbler, the Wood Waebler is distinguished by the green hue of 

 the upper part of the body, the pure white of the under surface, and the light yellow 

 streak over the eye. There are also other distinctions which are of no very great 

 importance, as the difference between the two species, which are in other respects very 

 similar, is readily decided by the above-mentioned characteristics. 



This bird is rather late in arriving in our country, seldom making its appearance before 

 the end of April, and towards the northern parts of England being a week or ten days 

 later. It remains with us until September, when it takes its departure for a warmer 

 clime. Immediately on its arrival it commences its lively, tliough not much varied song, 

 and perching upon a branch pours forth the trilling notes in rapid succession and with 

 the greatest earnestness. Three or four of these birds Avill often sing against each other, 

 their throats vibrating, their wings shivering, and their whole bodies panting with eager 

 rivalry. The song of the Wood Warbler resembles the word " twee-ee " very much 

 lengthened, and as it closes its song, it changes the last note into a peculiar hissing or 



