CHAPTER XLYIII. 



The Furze Wren. 



Sylvia Dartfordiensis, Pen. ; Melizophilus provincialis, McGil. ; 

 Motacilla j^rovincialis, Montague. 



Description and Character. — The Furze Wren, or Dartford 

 Warbler, as it is more commonly termed, is a bird of some- 

 what local distinction, and, so far as is known, is indigenous 

 to this country ; but, on account of its retiring disposition, and 

 its habit of concealing itself when approached by human beings, 

 very little is known of its true character and manners. The 

 more correct name for this bird is the Furze Wren, or Furzeling, 

 the common appellation, ''Dartford Warbler," having only been 

 derived from the fact of its having been first observed in the 

 neighbourhood of Dartford, in Kent, about the year 1773. 



It is oin. in length, of which the tail measures l-|-in. 

 The bill is long and slender, slightly curved towards the 

 point, and black in colour ; the base of the under mandible 

 is yellowish white. The irides are reddish yellow, and the 

 eyelids crimson. The upper parts of the body, head, neck, 

 and back, are deep dusky brown, tinged with reddish yellow. 

 The wings are blackish brown, edged with greyish white ; the 

 bastard wing is of the same colour. The tail is blackish 

 brown. The outer web of the exterior feathers is white. 

 The breast, fore part of the neck, sides, and lower portion 

 of the abdomen, are bright reddish brown ; the upper por- 

 tion of the belly is white. The legs are of a dark willow 

 colour or yellowish brown. 



Habits and Beeeding. — The Furze Wren is quite common 



