THE BRAKE WARBLER . 
205 
The general color of this bird is ashen-brown upon the upper parts of the body, the quill- 
feathers being, as is usual, of a darker hue. The whole under surface is white, washed with 
yellowish-brown, and the under wing-coverts are of a fine soft yellow hue. The beak and eyes 
are brown. The entire length of this pretty little bird is rather less than five inches. 
Another interesting member of this large genus is the Willow Warbler, Willow 
Wren, or Yellow Wren, its various names being derived from the localities which it fre- 
* quents and the color of its feathers. 
The habits of this bird are very like those of the Whitethroat, and it feeds on much the 
same kind of food, preferring insects to any other diet, and seldom if ever invading the fruit 
trees. It generally arrives in northern parts of Europe about the middle of April, when its 
cheery song may be heard enlivening the hedgerows and copses, sometimes being poured forth 
while the bird is on the wing, but generally from some elevated branch. The nest of the 
Willow Wren is like that of the chiff-chaff, and is generally placed upon the ground. The 
eggs are from five to seven in number, and their color is white-gray, dotted with numerous 
spots of pinky-red. The young birds are hatched in May or June. In Mr. Yarrell’s work on 
birds, there is a very interesting account of the attachment displayed by the Willow Wren 
to its nest. 
“ In the spring of 1882 , walking through an orchard, I was attracted by something on the 
ground in the form of a large ball, and composed of dried grass. I took it up in my hands, 
and upon examination found that it was a domed nest of the Willow Wren. Concerned at 
my precipitation, I put it down again as near the same place as I could suppose, but with very 
little hope that the architect would ever claim it again after such an attack. I was, however, 
agreeably surprised to find next day that the little occupier was proceeding with its work. 
The feathers inside were increased, as I could perceive by the alteration in color. 
“ In a few days two eggs were laid, and I thought my little protegee safe from harm, when 
a flock of ducks, that had strayed from the poultry-yard, with their usual curiosity went 
straight to the nest, which was very conspicuous as the grass was not high enough to conceal 
it, and with their bills spread it quite open, displaced the eggs and made the nest a complete 
ruin. I now despaired, but immediately on driving the authors of the mischief away, I tried 
to restore the nest to something like its proper form, and placed the eggs inside. That same 
day I was astonished to find an addition of another egg, and in about a week four more. The 
bird sat, and ultimately brought out seven young ones, but I cannot help supposing it a sin- 
gular instance of attachment aud confidence after being twice so rudely disturbed.” 
The general color of this bird is dull olive-green on the upper parts of the body, the quill- 
feathers of the wing being brown roped with green, and those of the tail dark brown. The 
chin, throat, and breast are yellowish -white, and the abdomen is nearly pure white. The total 
length of the bird is about five inches. 
The Lesser Whitethroat, or Brake Warbler, is another of the European Warblers, 
arriving in the north towards the end of April. 
It is not nearly so pleasing or so brilliant a songster as the species which have already 
been mentioned, but it is nevertheless very liberal in the exercise of its vocal powers, and 
chatters merrily as it flutters about the hedgerows, dives into the branches and reappears on 
the branch of some convenient tree or bush. It is not so often seen as the common White- 
throat, being more shy, and venturing less frequently from its hiding-place. On account of 
this habit of chattering, it has been termed the Chatterer by several writers. The nest is 
something like that of the common Whitethroat, being an open, saucer-like structure, placed 
among brushwood, and generally found upon some thick bramble or stunted bush. The mate- 
rials of which it is composed are grasses, roots, and fibres, and it is generally lined with hair. 
The color of this species is dark gray upon the upper surface, and the quill-feathers are 
dark brown except the two exterior feathers of the tail, which are grayish- white. The under 
surface is beautifully white, with a slight but perceptible tinge of pale carmine on the abdo- 
men. The total length of the bird rather exceeds five inches. 
