Mr. Howiifs Account of this Bird. 67 



grass, and a circular hole for entrance at the side ; lined with 

 soft feathers — a little downy bed of comfort. The mother- 

 bird, as we now see her, sits here in delicious ease on five or 

 six white eggs, beautifully, spotted with rich red-brown. 



This dainty little bird, which seems made alone for plea- 

 sure, is very useful to man, and should be made kindly welcome 

 everywhere, living entirely on caterpillars and other trouble- 

 some and destructive creatures. The Rev. J. G. Wood says 

 that it saves many a good oak from destruction by devouring, 

 on its first arrival, the caterpillars of the well-known green oak- 

 moth, which roll up the leaves in so curious a manner, and come 

 tumbling out of their green houses at the slightest alarm. 



He says, also, that a little chiff-chaff, which had been caught 

 and tamed, was accustomed to dash to the ceiling of the room 

 in which it was kept, and to snatch thence the flies which 

 settled on the white surface. 



My husband, writing of this bird, says : — 



" Gilbert White gave, I believe, the name of chifif-chaff to 

 this little bird from its note. In the midland counties it is 

 called the chill-chall from the same cause ; and, indeed, this 

 name is, to my ear, more accordant with its continuous ditty. 

 Its cheery little voice is one of the pleasantest recognitions of 

 returning spring. It is sure to be heard, just as in former 

 years, in the copse, the dell, the belt of trees bordering a way- 

 side ; we catch its simple note with pleasure, for it brings with 

 it many a memory of happy scenes and days gone by. We see 

 the little creature hopping along the boughs of the yet only 

 budding oak, and know that it is as usefully employed for man 

 as agreeably for itself It tells us, in effect, that sunny days. 



