AVILLOW-WIIEN. 
8 
investigation, be diseovered that there is many an exception to this rule. The plumage of young birds oi 
this species is of a decidedly warmer tinge of yellow than the adults ; immature Cliiffchaffs also exhibit this 
heightened colouring. 
Almost every writer on ornithology has drawn attention to the pleasing note of this lively species ; and 
although I fully agree with them on this subject when the song is heard in bright and sunny weather, I 
have often remarked how excessively monotonous this frequently repeated ditty becomes if listened to in the 
depths of some dense wood when black clouds and a leaden sky foretell an impending storm. AVith the 
exception of its relative the Chilfchatf, whose constant performance, under such circumstances, is still 
more irritating, the voices of almost the Avhole of the feathered tribe are now hushed, though possibly 
some pugnacious old cock Pheasant may give vent to a loud and startling crow in response to the rumble of a 
distant clap. As the gloom increases, and while scarcely a leaf is seen to stir in the sulti’y air, unless 
disturbed by one of these irrepressible AA^arblers as it tlits from twig to twig, their wearisome notes continue 
to break out on all sides. The heavy rain-drops as they patter on the leaves, and the peals of thunder 
echoing far and near, always appear a decided relief, the tiresome melody of these persevering birds being 
either completely drowned in the general downpour, or the musicians themselves forced to seek shelter till 
the storm has passed over. 
There is no more harmless species than the AAfrllow-AA''ren among our British birds. Though it has 
been reported that these AAArblers occasionally feed on fruit, I am of opinion this is a mistaken statement. 
According to my own observations, insects of various kinds form almost if not the whole of their humble 
diet. AA'hen watching their habits during the early summer in some of the northern forests where fir and birch 
arc intermixed, I remarked that these AAArblers almost exclusively confined their attentions to the birch, the 
particular insects they were then in quest of appearing to resort exclusively to the latter. Numbers of small 
birds, consisting principally of Coal and Blue Tits, with occasional Goldcrests, and here and there a wandering 
Crested Tit, might also be met with ; but these, for the most part, were to be seen closely investigating 
the limbs of the fir. Prom an entry in one of my note-books under date of June 23rd, I find that quantities 
of AATllow-AAfr’ens resorted to a garden in the east of Norfolk in order to feed on the green aphides on the 
currant-bushes. I observed these tiny scavengers were most assiduous in clearing off this swarm of insects. 
Scientific naturalists inform us that in the Arctic regions the AA^illow-AA^ren [FJiylloscopus trochilns) 
loses all traces of yellow and green in its plumage. To this form, viz. the Arctic AATllow-AAfr’en, I conclude 
a specimen I shot in Sussex early in May 1876 must be ascribed*. 
The Plate shows this specimen together with an ordinary individual (obtained in the spring) for 
comparison, and renders all description of plumage unnecessary. 
Before shooting the bird I had little or no opportunity of observing it, the weather being exceedingly 
blusterous. The note, which appeared to resemble that of a AA'hitethroat, first attracted my attention, when 
I fired at once, being at the time engaged in procuring a few small birds for a tame Owl. Owing to a 
heavy shower it was impossible either to see cleaidy or hear distinctly ; so I do not pretend to describe the 
note accurately ; I merely state my first impression. 
• This is the opinion of naturalists who have examined the bird. 
