7° WILLOW-WREN. 
of birds pass on to the oases of Africa, and some even to Cape 
Colony. It is not improbable that a limited number pass the 
summer in suitable localities in Northern Africa. 
The domed nest, loosely constructed of dry grass, and always 
lined with feathers, is generally placed among long herbage om the 
ground, but sometimes at the foot of a bush; exceptionally up to four 
feet from the ground, or even in a hole in a wali. The shape of the 
nest has procured for this species and its congeners the name of 
“QOven-birds”; while in many places the Willow-Wren is also known 
as the “ Hay-bird,” from the dry materials employed, or perhaps 
from the fact that the nest is often found in the corner of a hay-field. 
The 6-8 eggs are white, blotched and speckled with much lighter 
red than is the case with the eggs of the Chiffchaff, but exceptionally 
they are pure white: average measurements ‘62 by 46in. In 
England the first brood is hatched about the middle of May,a second 
being often produced in June. The merry song of the Willow- 
Wren, consisting of a few often-repeated notes, may be heard during 
the season in nearly every coppice ; and sometimes calls attention 
in our London parks to a begrimed songster which would otherwise 
be almost unrecognizable. When the bird is aware that its nest is 
approached, or when calling its young together, its usual note is a 
plaintive wAz¢ or ¢ewy, and at such times great solicitude and dis- 
regard of danger are displayed. Inasmuch as its food consists 
chiefly of flies, apAzdes, and other insects, this species is useful to 
the gardener, although it pecks and damages currants and other fruit 
to an unimportant extent. 
The adult male in spring has the upper parts olive-green, yellower 
on the rump; a yellowish streak over the eye and ear-coverts; 
wings and tail olive-brown, margined with greenish-yellow ; under 
parts yellowish-white, more sulphur-coloured on the flanks; under 
wing-coverts brimstone-yellow ; bill, legs and feet brown. Length 
49 in. ; wing 2°7 in.; tarsus -7 in. The sexes are alike in plumage. 
In autumn the general tint is yellower, especially in young birds. 
Varieties of the Willow-Wren are uncommon; but in May 1861 
a primrose-coloured bird was shot in Surrey (Harting), and in 
August of the same year a similar example was shot in Suffolk 
(Stevenson). 
The Willow-Wren may be distinguished from the Chiffchaff by its 
larger size, generally yellower tinge, paler tarsi, and by having the 
outer edges of the primaries emarginated as far only as the sth 
inclusive ; whereas in the Chiffchaff the 6th is also emarginated. 
