The Chiff-chaff. 14i 
this bird is very common, and in the latter part of 
April or May it is continually calling out its own 
name two or three times in succession, then remain- 
ing silent fora minute, when again it says “Chiff-chaff! 
chiff-chaff! chiff-chaff!” ‘Its notes are uttered with 
rather a harsh sound, but are very pleasing, and re- 
mind us of the coming hot weather., It feeds on the 
aphis (ap/izdes) that surround the young shoots of rose 
bushes, insects that frequent apple’ bloom, spiders, and 
other different kinds of insects, in search of which it is 
constantly on the flutter, and slides up and down the 
small branches of trees for the same purpose. This 
bird resembles the small willow wren or willow warbler 
in plumage and habits, very closely, but its legs are 
darker, and I consider this a good criterion’to go by 
when the bird is near enough for that inspection: the 
note is different, and can only be known from that of 
the willow wren by an attentive listener. These two 
kinds of birds are often seen within a few yards of 
each other, busily engaged in looking after food, and 
always seem on good terms. These birds arrive in 
England early in April, I have seen them by the third 
