WILLOW WREN 
43 
at all, it cannot much matter what they call it. A 
different and more confusing habit is the way which 
country people in some parts have of calling both 
the Willow Wren and the Chiff-chaff "White- 
throats," the real Whitethroat being known as 
the "Nettle-creeper." The Willow Wren is 
very like the Chiff-chaff to the eye, but can be 
distinguished by being greener above and yellower 
beneath, as compared with the more grey-brown 
back and under-parts of dull greyish-white of the 
Chiff-chaff. It is also a trifle larger, but scarcely 
enough so to make the difference of practical aid in 
distinguishing a live specimen. The young ones 
are rather conspicuous little creatures, with greenish 
backs and sulphur-yellow breasts ; they often turn 
up in strong family parties to feed upon the ripe 
currants, and can slip through the mesh of any 
ordinary net with ease. For the greater part of 
their lives, however, they are most valuable insect- 
eaters. The nest is also very like the Chiff-chaff s, 
domed, with a large hole in the side, and built of 
dried grass, dead leaves, and moss. Generally, 
though not sufficiently regularly to make an 
invariable distinction, it is set more closely upon 
the ground than the Chiff-chaff's, and is con- 
sequently harder to find among the undergrowth 
and herbage. Sometimes it is a most cunningly 
concealed cell in the thick moss of a hedge-bank or 
