WILLOW- WHEN. 
The localities selected for nesting-purposes are frequently so exceedingly similar, that I consider it 
hopeless to attempt to point out any dilference in tliis respect. A thick tuft of grass in a hedgerow, or a 
convenient shelter below some creeping hush in a plantation or wood, is frequently made use of by both 
species. The Willow- Wren at times resorts to situations in which to rear its brood considerably out of 
character with those usually selected. Early in June 18G7 I discovered a nest placed in a cavity among 
some rough stones that had been built up like a wall to strengthen the crumbling bank below a hill-road 
in Glenlyon, in Perthshire. The structure, which was externally composed of the usual materials, such as 
dried strands and blades of grass, looked somewhat singular among the grey and weather-beaten slabs of 
rock. It was located at least four feet from the level of the ground,, a tuft or two of short grass, a trailing 
bramble, together with a few ivy-leaves being the sole signs of vegetation in the immediate vicinity. Tlie absence 
of suitable cover could hardly have been the cause of such an exposed site being chosen, as within the distance 
of a few yards a straggling grove of alder and hazel, with abundant undergrowth, stretched down to the banks 
of the Lyon. The liill-side above the road was also densely wooded, beech and larch forming the chief of 
the larger timber. Here I have repeatedly noticed both Willow- and Wood-Wrens, and have also detected 
their nests on several occasions. In many of the wild glens in this part of the country I found Willow- 
Wrens excessively numerous in the plantations of silver birch among the hills, their notes being heard on 
all sides during still weather in the early summer. In every instance where the nests came under my 
observation they were carefully concealed in the same description of herbage to which the birds resort in 
England, and frequently at no great distance from the rugged stem of one of the drooping birches. Though 
the position, construction, and form (domed, with a side entrance) of the nests of the Willow-Wren and 
Chilfehaff differ but slightly, the eggs vary considerably, and at once point out the species to which they 
belong. The egg of the AVillow-Wrcn has a pinkish-white ground, blotched with spots of light red towards 
the larger end ; while the markings on that of the Chiffehaff are of a claret-colour, and generally more 
diffused over the surface, the ground-tint being of the same beautiful and transparent hue. 
The Willow-AVren is probably the commonest of the family, and on the whole more generally distributed 
over the British Islands than either the AYood-AVren or the Chiffehaff. I do not, however, consider this 
species so abundant as the AVood-AAT’en in the counties to the north of Inverness, where I have as yet been 
unable to detect the Chiffehaff. Early in the autumn these birds may be seen making their way towards 
the south coast. I have frequently remarked considerable additions to the natives of the locality in the 
neighbourhood of Brighton by the beginning of August. The first detachments, I believe, take their 
departure across the channel shortly after they have made their appearance in the district. Eor several 
successive days at this season I have remarked the haunts lately alive with recent arrivals totally deserted, 
till, with a change of weather, their places were filled by fresh comers. On fine still mornings (especially 
with a light westerly breeze, succeeding rain and heavy weather) these small migrants may be noticed 
working their way slowly from cover to cover, steadily advancing towards the coast. As many as ten or a 
dozen, or even a score, may now and then be in view at one time in the gardens within a short distance of 
the sea- shore, the whole party eagerly searching for insects on the plants and vegetables, the rows of peas 
being one of their favourite hunting-grounds. Doubtless AA"illow-AVrens and Chiffehaffs are in company at 
this season, though the task of naming each individual specimen as it flits through the leaves would, I am 
afraid, puzzle even our greatest authorities. During the spring a newly killed specimen may generally be 
identified by the colour of the tarsi, those of the AA^illow-AVren being of a pale brownish tinge, while both 
legs and feet of the Chiffehaff are considerably darker. Towards the end of summer, particularly with the 
juveniles, this distinction is by no means so conspicuous. I have seen young birds whose identity it appeared 
impossible to determine by a cursory glance. Although, as scientific writers inform us, the general colouring 
of the plumage of the AA^illow-AA^ren is brighter than that of the Chiffehaff, it would, I believe, on close 
