CHAPTER XI. 



THE CHIFF-CHAFF, OR OVEiST-BUILDER. 



The Chiff-chaff, chill-chall, lesser pettichaps, or oven-builder, is 

 one of the great bird family of warblers, and the smallest of 

 them in size ; indeed, it is not much larger than the little willow- 

 wren. Like all its family it is a bird of passage, and makes its 

 appearance here, in favourable seasons, as early as ths I2th of 

 March — earlier than the warblers in general — and also remains 

 later, having been known to remain here to the middle of 

 October. 



It is a remarkably cheerful little bird, and is warmly wel- 

 comed by all lovers of the country as beings one of the first 

 visitants of spring, sending its pleasant little voice, with an 

 incessant "chiff-chaff," " chery-charry,'- through the yet 

 leafless trees. 



Its plumage is dark olive-green ; the breast, and under part 

 of the body, white, with a slight tinge of yellow ; the tail, 

 brown, edged with pale green ; legs, yellowish -brown. 



The nest is not unlike that of a wren, built in a low bush, 

 and, sometimes, even on the ground. The one so beautifully 

 and faithfully depicted by Mr. Harrison Weir, seems to be 

 amongst the tallest grasses and picturesque growths of some 

 delicious woodland lane. It is a lovely little structure ; a hol- 

 low ball wonderfully put together, of dry leaves and stems of 



