TIIK LKSSKR WIlITETHliOAT. 7.“) 
seen at the foot of a wall, searching for insects among the rank 
weeds. 
I have observed it twice since, but can only hear of these 
instances of its occurrence. All the three birds seemed to like 
the currants, although the few remaining upon tlie buslies were 
very dry and shrivelled. 
THE AVI L LOW WARE LEE. 
Sylvia Trocliihts. 
T1 le Willow Warbler, formerly extremely scarce, now visits 
us annually in summer and autumn, and occasionally, though 
less frequently, in spring, when its cheering little song is 
exceedingly welcome, sounding even sweeter than in its native 
groves, where so many of the more gifted performers are engaged 
in the vocal contest. Perhaps, too, the reminiscences which it 
calls forth of tlie dear old English woods lend no small addi- 
tional charm to the once familiar notes. No sooner does a 
Willow Warbler settle itself down for a sojourn in Shetland 
than it conforms cheerfully to the habits of the country, adapt- 
ing itself without any difficulty to the circumstances attending 
a complete change of climate and locality, searching indus- 
triously for the aphides and the small green caterpillars which 
abound among the shrubs, and apparently leading a very con- 
tented life, until the frost compels it to leave ; or, as is more 
frequently the case, until the cats save it the trouble of under- 
taking a fatiguing journey. I have seen it as early as the 28th 
of Alarch, and as late as tlie 29th of October, on which day 
there was snow upon the ground. It occurs chiefly in Unst, 
and also at Gairdie and Belmont. 
