CHIFE-CHAFF 
They are the first of the Warblers to arrive in these 
islands and the last to leave them. ‘The earliest record 
of arrival I have is March 17th, and the latest April 5th. 
These dates refer to the West Midlands ; on the South and 
Hast Coast they may arrive slightly earlier, but only slightly, 
since all these migrants appear to spread themselves over 
the greater part of England within a very short time of 
their arrival on the coast. ‘This applies to the general bulk 
of the migrants; individuals have been seen as early as 
February, but these may possibly have passed the winter in 
some of the southern counties, where the climate is mild. 
As will be seen from the dates, there is considerable 
variation year by year, but since the period of their arrival 
is frequently one of gales and very varied climatic con- 
ditions, this is, perhaps, no more than we should necessarily 
expect. 
The migratory movement extends, as a rule, over ten to 
fourteen days, but here, again, we find considerable variation. 
In some years it will be finished within a few days of the 
arrival of the first male, in others there may be a delay of per- 
haps a week after the first one comes before any considerable 
numbers appear, and yet again there may be a steady increase, 
which is almost imperceptible day by day. 
They generally reach us during the night, but I have met 
with small parties arriving about five o’clock in the morning ; 
and such movements are unmistakable, for where an hour 
or so previously there was no sign of this species, every 
few acres would now hold their tiny member, each one 
wending his way northwards. 
The welcome note of the male will be heard in the morning 
after his arrival; there may be fog, or there may be a cold 
north-east wind blowing, but no matter what the weather, 
there, in the tops of the highest trees, he will be, singing 
intermittently, a restless little fellow, looking, as he sways 
backwards and forwards, his feathers ruffled with the wind, 
almost too delicate to stand the cold; yet, apparently, he 
7 
