Is a regular summer visitant, and commonly dispersed over suitable localities throughout the island.

MONTAGU has remarked that "it is frequently found with the wood wren, but does not extend so far to the west in England, as it is rarely met with in Cornwall." If there be thus a diminution of numbers to the west in England, the circumstance must arise from some other cause than geographical situation, as in Ireland the willow wren ranges to the counties jutting out to the extreme south-west and north-west of the island, being common both to Kerry and to Donegal.*

So

In the neighbourhood of Belfast, this species generally appears about the middle of April, when its presence is at once proclaimed by its song. My notes of the earliest arrival here during eleven years, are April, 6th, 1833; 7th, 1834; 8th, 1844-the latest, April 24th, 1837 (a very late spring); and 23rd in 1842, on which day they appeared very generally in different districts. early as the 2nd of April, 1848, a willow wren was seen near that town. When on the island of Ireland's Eye, off the Dublin coast, on the 23rd of April, 1835, a flock of eight of these birds appeared, from which one was shot. They were doubtless on migration, but were not the earliest comers, as the species was observed on the 20th of the same month about Belfast.

The willow wren is commonly seen until the middle of September. On the 24th of this month, and on the 10th of October, 1832, I heard it sing; on the former occasion incessantly so long as I gave attention,—about half an hour. From the period of arrival until moulting commences, the song of the willow wren is constantly heard; and so soon as that process is over, is recommenced, often in a weaker tone, and continued during fine weather

as

66

common in Don

* In Mr. Stewart's Catalogue the willow wren is set down egal, where I have myself remarked it to be so. By Mr. T. F. Neligan, of Tralee, it was stated to be very common in Kerry.

until the time of departure. The young birds, too, may sometimes be heard going over their notes in a much weaker tone than the old ones. Mr. J. V. Stewart gives a representation of the song in musical notes, in Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 581.

A friend who has had many nests of the willow wren, describes them all to have been composed of fine hay,* and lined with feathers. They were situated on the ground at the foot of trees, except in two instances, in one of which the nest was placed in a meadow, several yards distant from the hedge; and in the other, on the side of a ditch-bank, about four feet above the level ground. There was usually a long approach to them through the brake. My correspondent at Clonmel has met with a nest in ivy, upon a wall. Towards the end of August, I was once amused on perceiving several willow wrens rising into the air from some pea-rods in our garden, after the manner of the spotted flycatcher when on its aërial captures two of them were thus occasionally occupied at the same time. A few flycatchers (Muscicapa grisola) were also on the pea-rods, from which they now and then sallied after their winged prey, having thus apparently prompted the S. Trochilus to these flights.

In the north of Ireland, this species frequents plantations, from those of the little garden or spacious square in the town, to the most elevated on the mountains. Although, from the circumstance of its general occurrence in pleasure-grounds and gardens the name of "willow wren" may be thought "unmeaning," + I cannot so consider it. This name was doubtless bestowed upon the bird originally on account of its partiality to willows, which I have frequently remarked the twigs and branches of the commmon osier (Salix viminalis), abounding with aphides, being on such occasions its chief favourite. I have never seen these birds so numerous anywhere,―several continental countries, as

France, Italy, &c.,

* From the use of this material in the construction of its nests, the willow wren in some places, received the name of hay-bird.

See note to White's Selborne, p. 84, ed. 1837.

where I have met with it being included, in addition to the British Islands,- -as they were for many years in a certain hedge-row of these trees in the neighbourhood of Belfast. On some scattered trees of the Salix Smithiana in the same locality, they were, for a similar reason, almost equally plentiful. In parts of the south of Ireland, the species is known by the name of lady bird.

A young willow wren caught at the "Falls," soon after having left the nest, became at once, from its familiarity, very attractive. When at liberty in a room, and called by the name of "Sylvia," it immediately flew to and alighted on a finger held out for the purpose, and was so partial to this unnatural perch, as, like a hooded hawk upon the "fist," to remain stationary there when carried out of doors to feed upon the aphides infesting some monthly roses near the house. It did not attempt even to fly to the plants, but rested from choice upon the finger.* To the regret of its owners, this bird did not live long, in consequence, as was supposed, of excessive washing.

I am indebted to Mr. Poole for the following remarks on the willow wren:

"A bird of this species which I had taken from its nest to examine, on being set at liberty, was quickly on its nest again, notwithstanding all the fright it had undergone. There can scarcely be a more beautiful sight to an ornithologist or general lover of nature than a family of willow wrens manœuvring amongst the hedge-rows on a hot day, in the delightful month of July. Nothing can exceed the downy softness of the lower parts of the young willow wren, which, with its yellow mouth, velvet plumage, and timid yet confiding manner, is altogether as touching an emblem of absolute innocence as can be conceived. The mother with her ceaseless "twee, twee," flies anxiously around you, uneasily endeavouring to instil into her beautiful charge her own distrust of your proximity. As soon as she has succeeded in

* About Ryde, Isle of Wight, this species was common at the end of July and beginning of August, 1841, and from the windows of our house looked very beautiful, ascending the branches and twigs of rose-trees, on which it was most usefully employed, in clearing them of injurious insects.

prevailing on them for the first time to admit suspicion into their guileless bosoms, off hurries the whole interesting group with quick and undulating motion to the nearest tree or young plantation in sight; yet there, if you follow them cautiously and noiselessly, they will re-admit you to nearly former familiarity, and so enable you to pry once more into the mysteries of their œconomical department."

In April, 1841, this species was met with as follows in H.M.S. Beacon in the Mediterranean:-23rd, eighty miles from Malta, and fifty from Cape Passaro, the nearest land, one flew on board: -25th, about sixty miles from Calabria, and 135 from Mount Etna, another appeared; one which I caught, perched quietly on my finger, and was so carried about to feed on flies, which it seized when within reach, never leaving the hand if the fly could possibly be captured thence:-26th, eighty miles from Zante, 130 from Navarino, a willow wren and a chiff-chaff (S. rufa) were found dead in my cabin. They had not been caught or injured in any way, and must, I think, have died from fatigue; want of food could hardly have caused their death, as there were plenty of flies in the cabin. On this same day, one of Natterer's warblers (Sylvia Nattereri, Temminck,), a south of Europe species, was caught.

I possess a specimen of the S. Trochilus, which flew on board a ship in 1834, to the north-west of the Azores, in latitude 44° N. and longitude 34° W.; the date, unfortunately, was not communicated.

Is a regular summer visitant to certain localities from south to north,

Ir differs from the willow wren in being very partially, instead of generally, distributed, a remark which applies not only to the island at large, but to limited districts. Around Belfast—in the counties of Down and Antrim-this bird is known only as a regular visitant to very few places. These (whether in the mountain glen or demesne in the valley) are where there is abundance of wood, and more especially where, in addition, cover from underwood prevails. This preference appears singular, as the chiffchaff generally frequents the higher trees. In other parts of these counties, as among the beautiful plantations bordering the gently flowing Main through Shane's Castle Park, I have met with it, as my friend R. K. Sinclaire, Esq.,has done, in the wooded glens about Cushendall towards the north of Antrim; and about Bryansford and Rosstrevor, in Down, where the bases of the mountains are well clothed with wood. At the Botanic Garden, Glasnevin, and the Phoenix Park, Dublin, I have heard the notes of the chiffchaff, which is said to be a regular summer visitant to that quarter. It is common in woods within two miles of Clonmel through the

* The following note was published in my series of papers on the Birds of Ireland, in 1838. As a difference of opinion exists about this bird, (see note to White's Selborne, pp. 80 et seq., ed. 1837) I had intended entering fully into the subject; but turning to the description of the species in the 'Manual of British Vertebrate Animals,' p. 112, I find it to accord so well with my specimens,-which, being shot in the month of April, when uttering their notes, may be considered adults,- -as to render further observation unnecessary. The terms Syl. Hippolais, Lath., and chiff-chaff have been correctly used as synonymous in the best British works. The original description in the Index Ornithologicus' (vol. ii. p. 507) in a few words marks the species; Temminck however, in his valuable Manuel' of the Birds of Europe, (part i. p. 222) has adopted Latham's name for a continental Sylvia, very different from the one to which it was applied by this author." June 15th, 1848:-The first individual of this species (S. hippolais, Temm.), known to visit the British Islands, was killed at this date, at Eyethorne, near Dover. Daily News. Athenæum, July 29, 1848, p. 756, where full particulars will be found.