76 THE BIEDS OF SUSSEX. 



occasionally of dry fern. The main body leaves us in Sep- 

 tember, thoiigh in a few instances the bird has been known 

 to remain as late as December. 



CHIFFCHAFF. 



Phylloscopus collybita. 



In its habits, locality, and food this species is precisely 

 similar to the last, but in its mode of nesting there is a 

 slight difference, as this bird, though sometimes building on 

 the ground, more frequently places its nest in a low bush, or 

 on an ivy-covered stump or thick bush, or in a climbing rose 

 from eighteen inches to four or five feet from the ground. 

 It often collects a considerable mass of dead leaves and moss, 

 or white lichen, looking as if accidentally lodged there, and, 

 like the last-named species, always lines it well with feathers. 

 I am not aware that it has any other note than that from 

 which it derives its name. 



GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. 



Regulus cristatus. 



This little bird is resident, receiving considerable additions 

 from abroad, arriving for the most part upon the east coast 

 in the autumn. Some, however, it would appear, cross the 

 channel for the coast of Sussex, a number having been occa- 

 sionally taken in an exhausted state on board the Brighton 

 fishing-boats, as much as forty miles out at sea. Two, both 

 males, which were so taken came into my possession. I 

 once saw a very large number of these little birds which. 



