Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/339

Rh ton, near Lancaster, (fig. d, p. 309); in this a pair of blue titmice built their nest, hatched their eggs and reared their young. There was no cork in the bottle, and the birds had no other way of entrance than through the mouth, going up and down the neck of the bottle every time they carried food to their young ones, all of which, ten in number, were reared without accident, and made their escape unmolested through the neck of the bottle. When they were fairly gone the bottle was taken down, and the old nest found within: the bottle was fifteen inches deep, and the neck one inch in diameter. I am at a loss to know how the birds could manage to ascend the neck.

Willow-warbler, (Sylvia Trochilus). This diminutive little creature is mostly denominated the willow-warbler, for he loves osiers and willows; and no sooner has the lovely April arrived, with her warm breezes and refreshing showers, and feathered their branches, than he appears to salute us with his music. Few things are more amusing than to watch his manoeuvres on some fruit or forest tree. Perchance he has alighted on a willow just opening into blossom:—witness his proceedings. Now he hides beneath a canopy of infant leaves—now climbs a cluster of downy catkins; his soft, sleek breast, as silken as one of them, glistening in the sunshine, and almost seeming to equal it in beauty. Now he picks a grub from the bark, now chases an insect through the green-leaved boughs, alternately appearing and disappearing amongst the fresh, young foliage; and now, as if his exertions were no labour, but a most pleasant pastime, he gives forth a song so loud and wild, and withal so musical in its tone, that in rivalry other birds awaken their songs too, and seem to emulate his music.

His arrival in this neighbourhood (Melbourne) is scarcely ever later than the end of the second week in April. In the years 1840, 41, 42 and 43, it occurred on the 10th, 9th, 12th and 12th of that month; and he departs somewhere about the 9th or 12th of September. He dwells chiefly apart from villages, except where orchards and high trees abound, and prefers meadows and low grounds, intersected with