326 SYLVIADA. 
the genus Sylvia, as at present restricted. They differ 
from the Warblers already described in the general colour 
of their plumage; in not being fruit eaters; they almost 
invariably build their nests on the ground, and their nests 
are covered or domed at the top, like that of the Dipper, 
already figured at page 186, and the little birds creep into 
the hollow chamber within by a small round hole, generally 
left im the side. 
The Wood Warbler seldom arrives even in the southern 
parts of England till near the end of April, the males, as 
in some other instances, making their appearance a week 
or ten days before the females. In N orthumberland, Mr. 
Selby says, this bird does not appear till the elm and 
the oak are bursting into leaf; and that gentleman con- 
siders, from repeated observations, that with all our sum- 
mer visitants there is a difference of ten days or a fortnight 
between their arrival in the southern and northern parts of 
the kingdom. 
The Wood Warbler is generally distributed through the 
wooded districts, preferring old ‘plantations and woods con- 
taining tall trees, particularly those of oak or beech. The 
males commence their simple song soon after their arrival, 
and may frequently be heard from a lofty elm in a hedge 
row. The note resembles the word ¢wé, sounded very 
long, and repeated several times in succession, at first but 
slowly, afterwards much quicker, and when about to con- 
clude is accompanied by a peculiar tremulous motion of the 
wings, which are lowered by the side. The note is also 
occasionally uttered while the bird is on the wing from one 
place to another. The song is continued throughout the 
greater part of the summer, and the bird leaves this coun- 
try in September. 
The Wood Warbler neither eats fruit nor berries; its 
