PLATE CLVL 



Lesser Pettychaps. Br. Zool. I. 149. — ArSl, Zool. W.p, 413* 



^Lath. Gen, Syn. 4. 414. — Lev. Mus, 



— • M negy PlUjjB ^'" '' ''^ *''' *'''"'^" " ' * ■ " * ^ '■ 



( 



There can be no doubt this bird has been fometimes confounded 

 with the Willow Wren, and that even by Englifh authors of rerpe6l- 

 ability. The Willow Wren has ah:eady obtained a place in this 

 work, and the fpecimen delineated and defcribed was the individual 

 bird of Dr. Latham's colleftion, now in our pofTeflion. The ex- 

 ample of the Leffer Pettychaps at prefent before us is no lefs well 

 authenticated, as being the original bird found by the Duchefs of 

 Portland, at BulPtrode, and communicated by her grace to Sir Alli- 

 ton Lever. No one can, therefore, queftion, that upon the identity 

 of two fpecies fo nearly analogous and yet diftinft, we poflefs the 

 befl: authority that can be obtained, and are thus enabled to fpeak 

 with confidence on a fabjeft which might otherwife remain involved 

 in doubt. 



The Lcfler Pettychaps is a very diminutive bird, the fmalleft 

 almoft, without exception, found in England. It is fuppofed to be 

 Tare; but is, perhaps, more abundant in this country, in the milder 

 parts efpecially, than may be imagined ; though, from the fiiynefs of 

 its manners, it is not often feen. As a migratory fpecies it is one 

 of our early fpring vifitors ; indeed fo early, that it is imagined, and 

 with fome probability, ftragglers may remain with us throughout 

 the winter when the weather is mild. Inftances of this nature oc- 

 cur at lealt in the warmer parts of Britain. Its note, which is a 

 mere twit, twit, or, as fome liken it, to the words chip chop, is 



heard 



