254 gassell's book of birds. 



and divert it to themselves, by hurrying to a distance and uttering cries of distress. The young arc 

 fledged by the end of May, and a second brood is produced in June. 



The LEAF WRENS (Keguloides) constitute a group inhabiting Southern Asia and the provinces 

 of the Himalaya. In these birds the beak is comparatively shorter than that of the true Tree- 

 Warblers. The wings are long and more pointed, and the legs shorter and weaker. All such 

 species as inhabit India frequent mountainous districts. 



THE LEAF WREN. 



The Leaf Wren {Reguloides Proregulus), a member of the above group, that wanders from its 

 native lands and appears in Europe, is greyish green on the upper portion of the body, and yellowish 

 white on the under side ; the rump is bright green ; a yellowish-green line passes over the top of the 

 head ; 'and a reddish-yellow streak over the eye ; the wings are also decorated with two whitish-yellow 

 stripes. The eye is dark brown ; the beak blackish brown above, and of a yellowish shade beneath ; 

 the foot is pale brown. The body is four inches long and six and a quarter broad; the wing 

 measures two inches and the tail an inch and a half. This bird is a native of Central Asia, and is 

 commonly met with in India and China during the winter; it has also been seen l^peatedly in 

 Southern Europe, and more rarely in the central countries of our continent. The nest of this specie.; 

 is spherical, and is constructed of fibres of various kinds woven neatly together with spiders' webs, 

 and fastened firmly upon a branch at a considerable height from the ground. This elegant little 

 abode is entered by two holes, the one at the side and the other in front ; the latter, which is used 

 most frequently, is protected by a projecting cover. 



The GARDEN WARBLERS (Hypoiais), by far the most attractive group of this numerous 

 race, resemble their congeners in little except the colour of their plumage, and are readily 

 distinguishable from them by the comparative compactness of their body, length of wing (in which 

 the third and fourth quill are longer than the rest), and the thickness of their tarsus. The beak is 

 large, broad, and powerful, compressed at its margin ; and the tail is incised at its extremity. The 

 habits and song of the Garden Warblers differ no less remarkably from those of other members of 

 their family ; their nests are open above, and are built upon trees, instead of upon the ground ; 

 even the eggs do not resemble those laid by other Warblers. 



THE MELODIOUS WILLOW WREN. 

 The Melodious Willow Wren (Hypolais hortensis or Hypolais salicarid), one of the five 

 species of this group known in Europe, is greenish grey on the upper portions of the body, and 

 light sulphur yellow beneath ; the quills are pale blackish brown, edged with green on the outer web ; 

 the tail-feathers are lighter than the quills, and are bordered on the exterior web with dirty white ; 

 the eye is dark brown, the beak greyish brown, and reddish yellow at the base of the lower mandible ; 

 the foot is light blue. The length of the body is five inches and a half, the breadth nine inches and 

 a half; the wing measures three inches and one-third, and the tail two inches. Central Europe must 

 be regarded as the actual home of this pretty bird, but it is also met with in the northern part of the 

 Continent as far as Scandinavia ; it is but rarely seen in the south, where it is replaced by very similar 

 species. Its autumnal migrations extend as far as Africa, and are commenced unusually early in the 

 season, as this bird is particularly delicate and quite unable to endure the vicissitudes of climate so 

 prevalent on our continent at the close of the year ; nor does it venture to return until the spring 

 is far advanced, and the trees are completely covered with their leaves. As their name implies, the 



