356 Birds. 



as being " reniavkably black and bright." There seems no doubt, therefore, that al- 

 though P. Tithys retains its black garb during the winter, the colour is less pure and 

 jetty than in the breeding season, which we find to be the case with other black-throat- 

 ed birds, as the reed-bunting for instance, and also the cirl bunting (which is rather 

 common with us), and thus the specimen obtained at Brighton so late as March, had 

 probably assumed its full nuptial dress. — /. F. Dawson ; Ventnor, Isle of Wiyht, Au- 

 gust 18, 1843. 



Correction of some inaccuracies in a prior communication on the Wood-ivren. In 

 the last number (Zool. 311), Mr. Briggs has given some remarks upon the willow and 

 wood wrens, which are not altogether accurate ; and I venture to send you a few lines 

 on the subject. The three species, namely, the wood-wren, willow-wren and lesser pet- 

 tychaps or chiff-chaff, are all common here, and I have had abundant opportunities of 

 observing their habits. The wood-wren ariives the latest — generally in the third week 

 in April, and always frequents woods, generally where there are tall trees, but is only 

 locally distributed, as there are many parts of our woods and forests where they are 

 never seen. They seem particularly attached to certain spots, and seldom move far 

 away, and are very rarely seen in the open country, and never except at their first ar- 

 rival, before they have attached themselves to a particular haunt, or after the breeding 

 season, when on the point of departing. The nest is composed of dried grass, and in- 

 variably lined with fine grass and hair, the bird never using a feather in the construction 

 of its nest. The eggs are white, thickly covered with dark purple spots^ often conflu* 

 ent and forming a zone at the larger end. The willow-wren (P. Trochilus) is almost 

 universally distributed, and always uses feathers to line its nest. The eggs vary much. 

 They are mostly white, pretty thickly covered with pale red spots, but sometimes the 

 spots are few in number, and I have seen them pure white. The lesser pettychaps or 

 chiff-chaff (P. rufa), usually places its nest about a foot from the ground, in a bunch 

 of old fern or low bush, and it is externally composed of a quantity of dead leaves and 

 lined with grass and a profusion of feathers. The eggs are clear white, thinly speck- 

 led with dark purple spots. — Henry Doubleday ; Epping, August, 1843. 



Note on the occurrence of the Blackcap in January, (see also Zool. 76). Mr. White, 

 speaking of the blackcap, says, " if these little delicate beings are birds of passage, as 

 we have reason to suppose they are, because they are never seen in winter," &c. ; but 

 this is a great error, for I have occasionally seen them at that season, and this past Ja- 

 nuary, 1836, I have seen several ; so that sometimes blackcaps do not quit England 

 during the winter period. I frequently see these delicate little songsters on the top of 

 furze-bushes on the open downs. — Wm. Hewett. 



Note on the pugnacious disposition of the Blackcap. The pugnacious disposition of 

 the blackcap warbler has long attracted my attention : I now purpose giving a short 

 account of an attack made by this bird on a wounded rabbit, together with a few other 

 observations on its habits. In July last I had an opportunity of witnessing a more 

 than ordinary degree of pugnacity in this delightful warbler. As I was shooting those 

 destructive animals, rabbits, I wounded one severely ; when endeavouring to escape it 

 was immediately assailed by a male blackcap, which had been busily engaged in feed- 

 ing its just-flown young; it repeated its assaults and loud vociferations in quick suc- 

 cession, until the rabbit had become motionless and stiff in death, when it instantly 

 retired, apparently rejoiced at the victory it thought it had obtained over its more un- 

 fortunate adversary, and again resumed its parental duties with the assiduity of an 

 affectionate parent. I could not help admiring the rash courage of so feeble a bird ; 



