FHE WILLOW-WARBLERS. 
207 
Habits. — The Wood-Warbler is one of the most beautiful 
little birds which visit England in the spring. It appears 
about the end of April, and its presence is at once made 
known by its cheery song. Its name of “Wood-Warbler,” or 
“ Wood-Wren,” is in every way appropriate, for it is essentially 
a bird of the woods, and it is just when the latter are putting 
forth their fresh green leaves that the Wood- Warbler appears in 
our midst. By listening for the trill of the little songster he can 
soon be discovered, sitting probably for an instant on a bough at 
some distance from the ground, and then flying off to the slender 
twigs to examine the leaves above and below in search of 
insects. Then he will sometimes fly out from the tree and 
catch a passing insect, after the manner of a Flycatcher ; and, 
returning to its perch, break out into song again. When the 
birds first arrive, several are to be heard in the same wood, 
answering each other’s song, and trilling joyously. Sometimes 
the bird begins to sing in mid-air as he is flying from one tree 
to another, and finishes his song as he lights on his new perch, 
and in every movement the Wood-Warbler is an embodiment 
of grace and elegance, while its easy flight often resembles 
that of a Butterfly. The song is imitated by Mr. Seebohm by the 
following words, chit-chit chit-chit chi/re tr-tr-tr-tr-tre ; this 
really gives a very good idea of the opening note, which is pro- 
nounced as if the bird were bubbling over with the idea of a 
song and could not get it out quickly enough ; but the mellow- 
ness of the final trill cannot be produced by any form of words, 
and must be heard to be appreciated and remembered. The 
female is a very shy bird, and is not ofien seen ; but the neigh- 
bourhood of the nest is often pointed out by the singing of 
the male bird, who warbles continually near the spot until the 
hatching of the eggs gives him a more important occupation. 
But even if the vicinity of the nest be discovered, it is by no 
means easy to find the nest itself, for it is always well con- 
cealed on the ground hidden among the grass, and scarcely 
to be distinguished from the surroundings. 
Nest. — Partly domed over, and made of grass, with a few 
dead leaves or a little moss, but is lined with horsehair not 
with feathers, as in the allied species of Warbler. 
Eggs. — From five to seven. Ground-colour white, thickly 
