AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. 131 



L}Tidhurst, in May 1866, than in any other part of 

 England. I believe that the food of this bird con- 

 sists principally, if not entirely, of insects ; I do not 

 remember to have ever noticed it in our frnit-garden 

 at the end of summer, when other summer birds are 

 swarming there. In common with many of its con- 

 geners and other Warblers, this species often takes 

 insects on the wing. The nest much resembles in 

 shape and outside materials those of the well-known 

 Willow-Wren and Chiffchaff, but differs from them 

 in the entire absence of feathers from the inside, 

 being lined with fine grass and hairs. It is, I believe, 

 always situated on the ground ; those I have found 

 were built in tufts of coarse grass, with very little 

 apparent attempt at concealment, and contained from 

 four to six eggs, of a pure white, closely spotted with 

 dark red, and much resembling, except in size, those 

 of the Chiffchaff. This bird is easily distinguished 

 from its two more common congeners by the greener 

 colour of the upper plumage, the pure silvery white 

 of the lower breast and belly, and the longer wings. 

 I can say nothing positive as to the time of departure 

 of the Wood-Wren, as it is silent in July, and, as I 

 have said, rather scarce with us at all times. 



52. WILLOW-WREN. 



Phylloscopus trocldlus. 



This cheerful little bird is common with us as in 

 most parts of England, generally arriving during the 

 first week in April, and immediately announcing the 

 fact of its arrival by its comparatively powerful and 

 pleasant song. It is a very active bird, constantly in 

 pursuit of the minute insects which form its principal 



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