Page:The Natural History of Ireland vol1.djvu/216

 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 corres- pondent 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 aerial 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 8. 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," f I cannot so consider it. Tins 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.

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