Talbot : The Birds of Wakefield. 



101 



Wood Warbler {Sylvia sylvicola) — 



Is not uncommon in the woods round Wakefield. Its nest is 

 built on the ground, and is very difficult to find. The 30th of 

 April is my earliest note of its appearance. 



Willow Warbler {Sylvia trochilus) — 



An abundant species. Arrives as early as the 9th of April. 



Chipfchaff {Sylvia rufa) — 



The note of this bird strikingly resembles the spring note of the 

 Great Tit {Parus major) ^ and it requires a practised ear to detect 

 the difference. Owing to this similarity of note, the arrival of 

 the Chiffchaff is often chronicled before it actually puts in an 

 appearance here. My earliest date of its arrival is the 2nd of 

 April. 



Golden-crested Regulus {Regulus cristatm) — 



On several occasions I have had the gratification of finding, in 

 the neighbourhood of Hickleton, the beautiful nest of this little 

 bird. 



PARIDiE. 



^REAT Tit (Parus major) — 



Is common with us at all periods of the year. Its spring note 

 very much resembles that of the Chiffchaff, for which it is often 

 mistaken. 



Blue Tit {Parus casruleus) — - 



Breeds plentifully in this locality. In the winter season it shows 

 a decided partiality for feeding upon -the larvas of Sesia tipuli- 

 formis, which it easily extracts from the stems of the currant 

 trees. 



Cole Tit {Parus ater) — 



Arrives here from the north in October, and leaves us in March. 



Marsh Tit {Parus palustris) — 



Breeds not uncommonly in the neighbourhood. Although it is 

 a much smaller bird than the Blackcap {Curruca at7Hcapilla) , yet 

 it is often mistaken for it by casual observers, owing to its 

 having a black patch of feathers upon its head. 



LoNaTAiLED Tit {Parus caudatus) — 



The nest of this bird is occasionally found in Haw Park, Bretton 

 Park, Iving's Wood, and Bullcliffe Wood. In winter, large 

 flocks may not unfrequently be seen in the above-named places. 



