138 
SYLVIADiE. 
or by the side of those grassy drives which are cut 
through them. It may be found in hedge-banks where 
brushwood occurs, as well as amongst the long dry grass 
in young plantations. In shape the nest resembles that of 
the common wren, being arched over, and entered from 
the side ; it is, however, much more fragile, and not easily 
moved entire; it is composed of dry grass and moss, 
with dead leaves, warmly lined with feathers. Amongst 
the many eggs which I have found myself, I have seen 
only the two varieties figured, and in about equal 
numbers; fig. 2 is less freckled than usual: the Messrs. 
Tuke have some which are, however, different, and wdiich, 
in shape and markings, are more like eggs of the tit¬ 
mice. Dr. Neville Wood, in his “British Song Birds,” 
quotes a letter, from Dr. Liverpool, describing the readi¬ 
ness with which the Willow Wren becomes sociable. 
To this I can add a most interesting instance. To 
ascertain beyond doubt the identity of the two varie¬ 
ties of the eggs figured, I had captured, on their nests, 
several of the birds. Amongst these was one which 
I had carried home and confined during the night in 
a large box, and such was its tameness, that when I 
took it out the following morning and would have set 
it at liberty, it seemed to have no wish to leave my 
i 
hand, and would hop about the table at which I was 
sitting, picking up flies which I caught for it. 
In the autumn previous to their departure, the Willow 
Wrens frequent our gardens and orchards where they 
may be seen busily picking insects from the pea-straw 
and other vegetables, the young ones easily distinguished 
by their brighter yellow colouring; sometimes warbling 
a farewell song, but in a tone far different from their 
joyous carol in the spring, and so subdued that it is 
scarcely audible. 
